Russian lawmakers approve Putin's request to deploy troops in Syria

Vladimir Putin asked for, and got, permission to use troops in Syria
(Image credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

On Wednesday, Russian lawmakers gave President Vladimir Putin the authority to use Russian troops abroad, a step required under the Russian constitution. The vote in Russia's upper chamber, or Council of Federation, was unanimous, the Kremlin said, with one official telling Reuters that the resolution would only authorize use of Russia's air force in Syria. "The Syrian president asked the leadership of our country for military assistance," explained Kremlin official Sergei Ivanov after the vote.

"There have some media reports from the Middle East that Russian military jets have already started carrying out airstrikes in Syria," Reuters says. "The Kremlin has declined to confirm that." The last time Putin requested, and received, permission to use troops abroad was in March 2014, right before Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula.

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Peter Weber

Peter Weber is a senior editor at TheWeek.com, and has handled the editorial night shift since the website launched in 2008. A graduate of Northwestern University, Peter has worked at Facts on File and The New York Times Magazine. He speaks Spanish and Italian and plays bass and rhythm cello in an Austin rock band. Follow him on Twitter.