All new citizens over 18 must pledge their respect to Russian culture, history and tradition - but the lower house of Russian government wants to drop the age to 14 Russia are attempting to instil 'patriotic spirit' in its citizens (Image: AP)

Russia has passed a bill to lower the citizenship oath – which is an obligatory pledge of allegiance to the country – to 14.

The oath was originally introduced in 2017 and required new citizens to pledge their respect for Russian’s culture, history and tradition – with the previous minimum age at 18.

But in an attempt to instil ‘patriotic spirit’ in its citizens the lower house State Duma has lowered the age to 14.

Current legislation deems a citizenship grant invalid if the individual refuses or fails to take the oath within one year

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