Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev, signed into law amendments expending legal ground for the use of the Russian armed forces abroad, the Kremlin said on November 9.

According to the Kremlin, the law on defense envisages use of the Russian armed forces anywhere in the world to protect Russian citizens from armed attack; also in case of armed attack on Russian military units located outside Russia; when a foreign country is attacked and this country requests for Russia’s help and also for anti-piracy measures.

Medvedev said on November 5 that Russia would use its armed forces abroad only in exceptional circumstances.

“Such decisions are absolutely extraordinary and will be made only in case of extreme emergency,” he was quoted by the Russian media sources. “Our citizens should be protected in any part of the globe and feel that the state protects them.”