---
title: "Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that United States policy should encourage Russian soldiers to abandon Putin's war with Ukraine, and that Russian soldiers who defect should be granted expedited admission to the United States as refugees if they clear all applicable vetting and security procedures."
identifier: "117-HRES-969"
congress: 117
bill_number: 969
bill_type: "HRES"
version_code: "ih"
version_type: "Introduced in House"
bill_url: "https://chamberzero.com/congresses/117/bills/hres/969"
source: "https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-resolution/969"
site: "Chamber Zero"
site_url: "https://chamberzero.com"
rendered_at: "2026-06-04T01:57:48.378Z"
---
Whereas, on February 24, 2022, the Russian military began a shameless full-scale invasion of Ukraine, including carrying out attacks on cities with ballistic missiles, artillery, and tanks;Whereas Russia has conscripted involuntary soldiers serving in its military;Whereas there are reports that over 5,000 Russian troops have been killed or captured as of March 1, 2022;Whereas there are reports of Russian soldiers abandoning military equipment;Whereas captured Russian soldiers have expressed confusion as to the purpose of the war with Ukraine;Whereas Russian military authorities have threatened physical abuse or worse to enforce discipline in some units;Whereas Russian soldiers could be executed for desertion;Whereas Russian soldiers and citizens have reported that they initially believed the Russian military was only conducting training exercises;Whereas Russian soldiers may not and should not agree with Putin’s unjust war in Ukraine;Whereas Ukraine has offered amnesty and compensation for Russian soldiers who surrender;Whereas soldiers who defect can be considered refugees by the United Nations; andWhereas the United States has expedited procedures for immigration for other refugees: Now, therefore, be itThat it is the sense of the House of Representatives that United States policy should—
  - (1) encourage Russian soldiers to abandon Putin’s war with Ukraine, and that Russian soldiers who defect should be granted expedited admission to the United States as refugees if they clear all applicable vetting and security procedures; and
  - (2) incentivize Russian soldiers to turn over any Russian military equipment to Ukraine as part of their surrender, by providing compensation to such a soldier in an amount not more than $100,000, in accordance with the value of such equipment.