A new law signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin is causing a stir in the international legal arena. According to the document, it is strictly forbidden to hand over foreign citizens and stateless persons who have served in the Russian armed forces or other military formations, or who have participated in combat operations, to other states for criminal prosecution or execution of a sentence. This amendment was introduced to Article 464 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation, which establishes the procedure for refusing extradition upon request.
Behind this initiative lies the Russian government's strategy to increase military potential and attract foreign mercenaries. Another decree signed by Putin on July 8, 2025, gave foreigners the right to sign contracts with the Russian army during mobilization. While previously this opportunity was only available under emergency or martial law, the process has now been simplified. Against the backdrop of the mobilization decree adopted on September 21, 2022, which is still in effect, the Russian government is using all means to replenish its ranks.
According to statistics, the number of people being recruited into the Russian army is growing significantly. According to US intelligence and European think tanks, Russia is recruiting an average of 30,000 to 40,000 new military personnel every month. Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev confirmed in a statement on July 2, 2025, that 210,000 people had signed contracts with the Ministry of Defense since the beginning of the year. These figures show how high Russia's need for human resources is to continue military operations in Ukraine.
Experts believe that the new law acts as a kind of "protective shield" for foreign mercenaries. This step may be criticized by the international community, as it allows persons who are on the international wanted list or who have committed crimes to avoid punishment through Russia. At the same time, this decision is presented as a security guarantee for foreigners who want to serve in the Russian army. Through this law, the Russian government intends to remove international legal obstacles in achieving its military goals and to accelerate the mobilization process.
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