Russia: A Law Expands Military Powers of Putin Beyond Borders

On May 13, 2026, the State Duma adopted a law allowing Vladimir Putin to deploy armed forces abroad to protect Russian citizens facing prosecution. The text amends citizenship and defense laws, targeting arrests by foreign jurisdictions not recognized by Russia. Duma Chairman Viatcheslav Volodin justified the measure as a response to alleged Western repression, while concerns remain in the West about potential provocations similar to those in Crimea in 2014.