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Putin signs a decree allowing foreigners to serve in Russian army

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Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree that allows foreign citizens to serve in the ranks of Russia's Armed Forces, the state news agency TASS reported on Nov. 14.

Earlier on Nov. 4, Putin said that Russia had conscripted 318,000 citizens since the beginning of mobilization in September. Some 49,000 of these conscripts are already fighting in Ukraine, he said.

After announcing mobilization, Russia has allowed conscripting citizens with convictions for serious crimes.

Russia's chaotic mobilization unlikely to change Ukraine war's course
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The Kyiv Independent news desk

We are the news team of the Kyiv Independent. We are here to make sure our readers get quick, essential updates about the events in Ukraine. Feel free to contact us via email with feedback and news alerts.

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As Russia bombards Ukraine with Shahed drones almost every night, the 12th Army Aviation Brigade takes to the skies in decades-old helicopters to intercept them. The Kyiv Independent’s Kollen Post joined the pilots to understand how they fly, maneuver, and shoot down drones in darkness — and what keeps them going.

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