Russian Parliament Approves Use of Military Abroad as It Evacuates Kyiv Embassy

Russian President Vladimir Putin signs documents, including a decree recognizing two Russian-backed breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent, during a ceremony at the Kremlin in Moscow on Feb. 21, 2022. Alexey Nikolsy/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images

The upper house of Russia’s parliament approved a plan to deploy the country’s military abroad following a request on Tuesday by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Members of Russia’s Federation Council voted unanimously to allow Putin to use military force outside the country—effectively formalizing a Russian military deployment to the rebel regions of Donetsk and Lugansk.