Published: Apr 16, 2026, 18:45 IST | Updated: Apr 16, 2026, 18:45 IST
The Russian Duma is considering a bill to broaden the legal grounds for using military force outside Russia, permitting troops to be deployed to "defend Russians" persecuted by foreign courts. This "protection" legislation expands the definition of "special military operations" and could act as a pretext for foreign interventions.