Story perspectives

Putin Expands Troop Deployment Powers, Heightening NATO Clash Risk

5/26/2026

Summary

Story summary

President Vladimir Putin signed a law on May 25 expanding the president’s power to deploy troops abroad to protect Russian citizens.
Defense Committee head Andrey Kartapolov said the law was tied to Alexander Butyagin’s detention in Poland.
United States (U.S.) and European intelligence agencies warned the expanded authority could hasten Russian preparations for a limited NATO clash.
Reports claim security services are using organized-crime networks to assassinate dissidents and sabotage European infrastructure.

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Story summary

President Vladimir Putin signed a law on May 25 expanding the president’s power to deploy troops abroad to protect Russian citizens.
Defense Committee head Andrey Kartapolov said the law was tied to Alexander Butyagin’s detention in Poland.
United States (U.S.) and European intelligence agencies warned the expanded authority could hasten Russian preparations for a limited NATO clash.
Reports claim security services are using organized-crime networks to assassinate dissidents and sabotage European infrastructure.