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Russia Considers Revoking Residency for Relatives of Foreign Soldiers Seeking Political Change
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The Russian Ministry of Justice has proposed a new measure that would allow the government to revoke the residency permits of family members belonging to foreign citizens serving in the Russian military.
This proposal targets relatives who call for a change of government in Russia, according to The Moscow Times on April 14.
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The new provision is part of a legislative project aimed at increasing responsibility for foreigners regarding "extremist" crimes and other violations as the bill moves toward its second reading.
Under this proposal, the government would be prohibited from issuing residency permits to the family members of foreign contract soldiers under certain legal conditions.
This specifically applies to cases where relatives support a forceful change to the foundations of the Russian constitutional order or are involved in financing or planning terrorist or extremist acts.
Igor Cherepanov, deputy chairman of the board of the Association of Lawyers of Russia, explained that “If a residence permit had already been issued to such family members earlier, it will be subject to cancellation.”
These restrictions would apply to the families of foreign individuals who signed a one-year contract to serve in the Armed Forces or other military formations during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. On April 13, a government commission on legislative activities approved these proposals from the Ministry of Justice.
Previously, the law protected the families of these foreign soldiers from various administrative actions. The earlier version stated that decisions regarding entry bans, undesirable status, deportation, or the cancellation of residency permits should not be made against the families of foreigners who are currently serving or have previously served in the Russian military during combat operations.
In March, Vladimir Putin signed a law that prevents the extradition of foreigners or stateless persons who have served in the Russian Armed Forces. This law protects those who participated in combat from being handed over for criminal prosecution or to serve sentences in other countries.
The Kremlin-backed channels baited foreigners to move to Russia, promising a “peaceful life.” Next, those who glorified life in Russia faced the harsh reality of the very regime they helped promote.
The "Russian Road" organization, which was launched in 2025, used foreign nationals as propaganda tools while portraying the West as dangerous and immoral. Its producers were linked directly to the Kremlin’s state media, and the content they created was designed to influence audiences abroad through subtle, sustained aggression.
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