On February 15, 2022, Russia's State Duma passed a bill allowing President Vladimir Putin to deploy troops abroad to protect Russian citizens facing arrest, detention, or other threats. The legislation was approved by 351 votes in favor, with 16 abstentions and no votes against, according to official records.
The bill, proposed by the Kremlin, grants the president authority to send military forces to foreign territories to defend Russian nationals and ensure peace and stability. It was widely seen as a legal basis for potential intervention in Ukraine, where Russia had recognized the independence of separatist regions.
This move came amid heightened tensions over Ukraine, with Western nations warning of severe sanctions if Russia invaded. The bill was part of a broader escalation that preceded Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
