On July 15, 2026, the High-Level Regional Meeting “Enhancing Capacities to Prevent the Supply of Weapons to Terrorists in Central Asia” was held in Moscow, organized by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism with the participation of the Russian side.
On July 14, 2026, a working meeting was held at the CSTO Secretariat between CSTO Deputy Secretary General Valery Semerikov and UN Assistant Secretary-General Alexander Zuev.
From July 7 to 9, second staff talks were held in the Russian Federation on the organization and conduct of the CSTO Collective Rapid Reaction Forces (CRRF) command-and-staff exercise “Interaction-2026”, the special reconnaissance exercise “Poisk-2026”, and the logistics support exercise “Echelon-2026”.
In accordance with the 2026 Action Plan of the Coordinating Council of Heads of the Competent Authorities for Countering Illicit Drug Trafficking of the CSTO Member States, and as part of the Russian Federation's priorities during its 2026 CSTO Chairmanship, the sub-regional counter-narcotics operation “Kanal – Amber Coast” was conducted from June 29 to July 3, 2026. The operation was aimed at disrupting trafficking routes for narcotic drugs, their precursors and analogues, new psychoactive substances, and potent substances into the CSTO area of responsibility, neutralizing international transnational drug trafficking groups, dismantling clandestine drug production facilities, undermining the economic foundations of the drug trade, including the laundering of drug proceeds.
The 12th Southern Information Security Forum “Infoforum Sochi 2026” is taking place in Sochi, Russia, from June 30 to July 3. On July 1, the Forum's plenary session brought together representatives of federal and regional authorities, regulatory bodies, leading companies, and international organizations to discuss current challenges in the protection of critical infrastructure, the development of artificial intelligence, and international cooperation.
The CSTO website has posted up-to-date information on the new rules for foreign citizens staying in Russia
08.10.2025
In accordance with the decision of the 28th meeting of the Coordination Council of Heads of Competent Authorities of CSTO Member States on Combating Illegal Migration, the CSTO official website has published information and reference material from the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs explaining the key changes in the procedure for foreign citizens staying in Russia.
The document is intended to inform citizens of the CSTO member states and contains a summary of current rules that came into force in 2024-2025.
Key innovations reflected in the materials:
1. New rules for temporary stays:
For citizens of “visa-free” countries, the total length of a temporary stay in Russia is limited to 90 days within a single calendar year. Exceeding this limit will result in a ban on entry until the following year, except in cases where the relevant permits (temporary residence permit, permanent residence permit, patent, etc.) have been obtained.
2. Changes in obtaining a temporary residence permit and a residence permit.
To obtain a temporary residence permit without a quota through marriage to a Russian citizen, one of the following conditions must now be met: the marriage must have lasted at least three years, or the couple must have a child together.
A residence permit for a foreign parent of a child who is a Russian citizen born out of wedlock is issued only if a court confirms that they have lived together in Russia for at least three years.
3. Digitization of migration procedures.
Russia is conducting an experiment to create a digital profile for foreign citizens. Using the “RuID” mobile app, it is possible to check in advance whether entry is permitted, and in Moscow and the surrounding region, the “Amina” app is being used as part of the experiment to notify authorities of a person's actual location.
4. Tightening of exam control.
From December 2024, only authorized state institutions will have the right to conduct exams on proficiency in the Russian language, knowledge of history and the basics of legislation, and to issue certificates.
5. New rules for minors.
Starting April 1, 2025, foreign children must present a document confirming the legality of their stay in the Russian Federation and pass a Russian language test in order to enroll in Russian schools.
6. Increased responsibility and new control mechanisms.
For violations of migration legislation, foreign citizens may be entered into the Register of Controlled Persons, which imposes serious restrictions, including a ban on leaving the region, conducting financial transactions, and registering property.
Persons who do not have legal grounds for staying in the country may be subject to expulsion under the migration regime, and in the event of evasion, forced deportation with placement in a special institution.
The full text of the information and reference materials is available in the relevant section of the CSTO official website:
