Ukraine has passed a new bill that makes it legal for citizens to kill Russian soldiers deployed there, according to a defence reporter with Kyiv Independent. 

The document signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky says “Civilians shall not be criminally liable for the use of firearms against persons who carry out armed aggression against Ukraine, if such weapons are used in accordance with the requirements of the Law of Ukraine”, as per the translated version of the bill. 

However, this raises the question about the protected status civilians are supposed to have under the Geneva Convention. Civilians in areas of armed conflicts or occupied territories are supposed to be protected by 159 articles of the Fourth Geneva Convention. 

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With this bill, Ukraine will essentially allow civilians to become part of the conflict with Russia. Previously, President Zelensky set up the Ukraine foreign legion, which allows civilians from all over the world to apply and fight for Ukraine against Russia. However, authorities have clarified that they’d prefer applicants with previous military experience since there is no time to train new arrivals before sending them out to the frontline. 

Though the new bill will allow citizens access to firearms, it clarifies that they have to be turned over to the authorities after the martial law ends, according to the translation. 

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This news comes on the same day that Russia has been again accused of targeting civilians, with reports emerging of an airstrike against a maternity ward in Mariupol, the Azov Sea port city. Previously, CNN had also reported an incident where a Ukrainian was fired upon by the Russian military. 

Thus far, President Zelensky has rallied support and several Ukrainians had expressed a desire to protect their country in the days leading up to the invasion. Meanwhile, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin faces accusations of committing war crimes for airstrikes against civilian targets.