New Bill Allows Russian Troops to be Deployed Abroad

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has approved an amended law that will allow the use of Russian armed forces abroad. The amendments stipulate that Russian troops can be used abroad to repel an attack on Russian military units or other troops deployed outside the country, to repel or prevent an armed attack on another state asking Russia for military assistance, to defend Russian citizens abroad from an armed attack, to combat sea piracy and to ensure safety of commercial shipping.Prior to the amendment, the law only allowed the president to send armed forces to fight terrorism on foreign territories.