Authorities in the Siberian city of Berdsk said on November 21 that "for the first time in the history of the Novosibirsk region," a foreigner received a Russian passport in exchange for signing a contract to join Russia's armed forces involved in Moscow's aggression against Ukraine. According to city officials, Berdsk residents Pavel Kontorbayev and his wife, Veronika -- Kazakh citizens -- were handed Russian passports at a special ceremony after Kontorbayev signed the contract. President Vladimir Putin signed a decree in May allowing foreigners taking part in the war in Ukraine to become Russian citizens if they agree to serve at least one year. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Siberia.Realities, click here.
Kazakh Citizen Gets Russian Passport After Signing Contract To Fight In Ukraine
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