Two natives of The Gambia who took part in the special military operation (SMO) as members of the Russian Armed Forces have received Russian passports in the Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR). This was reported by the regional press service of Russia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs.
“Natives of the Republic of The Gambia, Jallow Malik and Dibba Modou, who took part in the special military operation as members of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation on the territory of the Luhansk People’s Republic in 2024–2025, have received passports of Russian citizens,” the statement said.
The foreign nationals submitted applications to the Slavyanoserbsky district department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia in accordance with a presidential decree on granting citizenship to foreigners who have signed contracts for military service in the Russian Armed Forces.
After positive decisions were issued, the men took the oath of a citizen of Russia in a formal ceremony, after which they were presented with Russian passports.
The two men were congratulated on obtaining Russian citizenship by Daniil Styazhkin, Head of the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Luhansk People’s Republic, and Konstantin Bezborodykh, Lieutenant Colonel of Police and head of the territorial internal affairs unit.
In 2024, Russia introduced a special procedure for granting citizenship to foreign nationals who sign contracts for military service in the Russian Armed Forces. This provision also applies to their family members and is implemented, among other places, in the new regions.
In August last year, a Togolese national, Kofi Gaston, who volunteered to take part in the SMO, received a Russian passport.
(Culled from African Initiative Agency)
