Russia’s State Duma weighs sweeping powers for Putin to use army globally
Russian army (photo: GettyImages)
The Russian State Duma has announced the adoption in the first reading of a draft law that expands the powers of the Russian president and allows the use of armed forces outside the country, reports Deutsche Welle.
State Duma decision
The Russian State Duma on April 14 supported, in the first reading, an initiative that allows the use of the army abroad.
413 deputies voted in favor of the document, with no votes against and no abstentions. This information was published on the official website of the lower house of parliament.
Essence of the draft law
The amendments provide for granting the president the right to use the armed forces extraterritorially.
This refers to cases where it is necessary to protect Russian citizens who have been arrested, detained, or subjected to criminal or other prosecution by decisions of foreign courts or international judicial bodies in which Russia does not participate.
Limitations and conditions
The document was prepared by the Russian Ministry of Defense.
It clarifies that this applies only to judicial instances whose jurisdiction is not based on international agreements with Russia or on UN Security Council decisions.
Thus, the proposed measures apply to a limited range of situations.
Connection with existing legislation
The explanatory note states that the current law On Security already provides for the president's obligation to protect Russian citizens.
At the same time, the initiative's authors emphasize that the new amendments are intended to develop this provision.
The specific scenarios in which the proposed mechanism might be applied are not specified in the document.
The Kremlin has stated that Ukrainian drones are allegedly using the airspace of NATO countries to attack Russian ports, claiming that the Baltic states and Finland are providing support to the Armed Forces of Ukraine in this regard.
The Research Institute of Military Medicine of the Russian Ministry of Defense is reportedly conducting tests of ammunition and pharmacological drugs involving volunteer military personnel.
