The State Duma passed a law granting the president the right to use the army to protect Russian citizens abroad.

The State Duma approved the bill on the "extraterritorial" use of Russian armed forces to protect Russian citizens abroad in both the second and third readings, reports Medusa.

The corresponding amendments are being made to the laws "On Citizenship" and "On Defense." The draft law was developed by the Russian Ministry of Defense and submitted to the State Duma on March 19. Deputies approved it in the first reading on April 14.

The law stipulates that the decision on the possible "extraterritorial" use of armed forces will be made by the president.

On the subject: A Russian ship sank under mysterious circumstances: it may have been carrying nuclear reactors for North Korea.

The purpose of this law is not entirely clear, since the president already has the right to “take measures” to protect citizens in the event that foreign or international bodies make decisions that are contrary to Russia’s interests (this is Article 8 of Federal Law No. 390 “On Security”).

Andrei Kartapolov, head of the State Duma Defense Committee, linked the need for the law to the case of archaeologist Alexander Butyagin, detained in Poland. Lawyers interviewed by Kommersant suggested that the law could be about "legislating" the escort or protection of "shadow fleet" vessels included on sanctions lists (Russian Navy ships still escort them).

The Bell, in turn, points out that Russian lawmakers were guided by the 2002 US American Servicemembers Protection Act (ASPA), better known as the "Hague Invasion Act." This law is aimed at protecting American military personnel and officials from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The ICC, in particular, issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin, Children's Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova, and several high-ranking Russian military officials, including former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

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As for Western media, the BBC noted that the law expands the Kremlin's powers and could be used as a legal justification for military operations outside Russia, citing the experience of the 2008 war with Georgia.

The New York Times and The Guardian wrote in a similar vein: the law was seen as a tool that theoretically allows Moscow to intervene in situations where it claims to protect its citizens or "compatriots" abroad.

The Times She wrote that the new law "increases tensions in relations with NATO" and could be used as a pretext for action in countries with Russian-speaking populations, such as Estonia.

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