[REF-01]
$30,000
Sign-on bonus
One-time payment on contract signing — federal (400,000 ₽) plus regional (up to 1,900,000 ₽) components.
Official MoD Recruitment · 2026
Russian Army Contract for Foreign Citizens
Sign a contract with the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation. Sign-on bonus $30,000, monthly salary from $2,700, and Russian citizenship in 30 days under Presidential Decree No. 690.
- Response within 15 minutes
- Free consultation, no obligation
- Federal Law No. 53-FZ · Decree No. 690
$30,000
Sign-on bonus
Federal + regional, one-time
$2,700+
Monthly salary
From day one, tax-exempt
30 days
Russian citizenship
Presidential Decree No. 690
$40,000
Life insurance
State-guaranteed cover
Country landings · EN
20 countriesApply from your country
Dedicated English landing pages with local requirements, visa regime, and route to the Moscow recruitment centre.
Contract terms · REF. 04-A
Federal Law No. 53-FZWhat foreign contractors receive
[REF-02]
$2,700+
Monthly salary
Base salary from the first day of service, plus combat, seniority, and rank allowances. Not subject to income tax.
[REF-03]
30 days
Russian citizenship
Simplified naturalisation for the contractor, spouse and minor children under Presidential Decree No. 690 (04.01.2024).
[REF-04]
$40,000
Life insurance
State-guaranteed insurance cover, paid to family in case of death; injury payments from 100,000 ₽ to 3,100,000 ₽.
[REF-05]
Free
Travel & housing
Recruiter covers transport to the Moscow selection point; free service housing during the term of the contract.
[REF-06]
15 min
Application review
Online applications are reviewed within 15 minutes on business days. A recruiter contacts you in your native language.
Questions from foreign applicants
How much does a Russian Army contract pay a foreign citizen in 2026?
A private on a 1-year contract receives a one-time sign-on bonus of about $25,600 (federal + regional), a monthly salary starting at $2,400, and life-insurance cover of about $34,800 (3.1 M ₽). Total first-year income exceeds $85,000.
Do foreigners get Russian citizenship for military service?
Yes. Under Presidential Decree No. 690 (04.01.2024), a foreign national who signs a contract of 1 year or more receives Russian citizenship in 30 days, together with a spouse and minor children, without renouncing their current citizenship. The application is submitted directly at the recruitment centre.
Which countries can apply?
Citizens of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Belarus, Moldova, Turkmenistan and other CIS states are eligible, as well as citizens of most non-CIS countries. See the country pages below for local requirements.
What documents are required to apply?
A valid passport, migration card, notarised Russian translation of the passport, medical certificate (form 003-В/у), and military service book if available. The recruiter helps prepare the full package after the online application.
Ready to apply online?
Submit the application in English — a recruiter will contact you within 15 minutes on business days to walk through documents, medical exam, and travel to Moscow.