ISTANBUL

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed a decree that established a simplified route to citizenship for foreigners that work under contract in the country’s armed forces.

The decree, which was published on the government’s portal, said that the law on the simplified route is applicable for "foreign citizens who concluded contracts for military service in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation or military formations for a period of one year and members of their family.”

The initial law adopted on the matter in September last year was applicable for foreigners and stateless persons who concluded military contracts in the Russian Armed Forces or other military formations for a period of at least one year, in addition to taking part in hostilities for at least six months.

The law also applied for those who received injuries during the six-month period and had to be dismissed from duty.