Putin Fast-Tracks Citizenship for Foreign Military Enlistees Amid Ukraine War

The move, aimed at replenishing Russian troops, comes amid reports of police raids targeting migrants for recruitment and a growing discrepancy in military casualty counts.

President Putin has signed a decree to expedite the citizenship process for foreigners who enlist in the Russian military, reducing the decision time on applications from three months to one month.
This move is part of Russia's efforts to replenish its troops in the ongoing war in Ukraine, with migrants from poorer Central Asian countries being a key target for recruitment.
Regular police raids targeting migrants in Russian cities have been reported, with detainees often pressured to sign military contracts.
Putin has twice ordered an increase in the number of troops, most recently in December, bringing the total to 1.32 million. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has declared a force of 1.5 million is needed to ensure Russia's security.
Despite Russia's official military casualty count being just over 6,000, Western estimates suggest the number is likely between 150,000 and 190,000.

South China Morning Post