On March 26, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) approved the plan for the regional operation, dubbed “Illegal-2025,” the CSTO Secretariat says, noting that it is aimed at combating illegal migration this year.  

The operation's goal is to combat illegal migration within CSTO member nations, identify and suppress illegal migration channels, and prevent unlawful actions related to migration.

The heads of national CSTO headquarters reportedly discussed the concept of the operation, agreed on the timeline for active measures, and clarified procedures for cooperation and information exchange between competent authorities.

The operation will be carried out in several stages and is expected to be an important step in stabilizing the migration situation in the region, the statement notes.

Previously, it was reported that during the "Illegal-2024" operation in Moscow, more than 13,000 violations of migration laws were identified.  As a result, over 10,000 foreign nationals were held accountable for violating entry, exit, and residency rules in the Russian Federation; around 1,500 for residency violations, and over 600 for breaches of labor activity regulations.

The Moscow Police Directorate initiated 420 criminal cases under the Russian Criminal Code for organizing illegal migration.

The comprehensive operational and preventive operation “Illegal-2024,” aimed at identifying and suppressing illegal migration channels, began in Russia on September 30, 2024.

In the fall of last year, Tajik authorities repeatedly expressed concern to the Russian side about violations of the rights of Tajik citizens in Russia.

Tajik Prime Minister Qohir Rasoulzoda raised this issue during a meeting of the Tajik-Russian Intergovernmental Commission for Trade and Economic Cooperation held in Dushanbe on October 4.  He stated that Tajikistan was concerned about the situation with inspections in Russia during activities aimed at “regulating the migration field.”

Co-chair of the Intergovernmental Commission for Trade and Economic Cooperation, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin, in turn, stated that Russia and Tajikistan need to create a working group to control migration.

Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin also voiced concern over the restrictions on Tajik citizens during a meeting of the CIS Council of Foreign Ministers on October 7.  He emphasized that such measures contradict the principles of humanity and mutual assistance on which the CIS is based.