Ukrainians living under Russian rule will need to “legalize” their immigration status by mid-September or face possible deportation as foreigners, according to an order signed by President Vladimir Putin.
The decree appears to target Ukrainian citizens living in Russian-occupied areas who are yet to take up the offer of Russian nationality, media reports say.
In 2022, Moscow formally declared Ukraine’s Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia provinces—which it partially occupies—part of Russia. It did the same in Crimea, which was seized in 2014.
Ever since Russian forces entered the territories, Putin’s authorities have put pressure on Ukrainian nationals to take up Russian citizenship, reportedly making it a condition for access to basic provisions such as healthcare and education.
Putin claimed earlier this month that the process of “passportization” was “virtually completed” but the new measure could put further pressure on Ukrainians who have resisted the process.
The presidential decree, which was signed on Thursday, says that those without “legal grounds to stay or reside in Russia” must leave unless they “settle their legal status” by September 10.
It follows domestic legislation passed last month, which makes it easier for Russian authorities to deport foreigners, the Moscow Times reported.
In 2022, Moscow formally declared Ukraine’s Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia provinces—which it partially occupies—part of Russia. It did the same in Crimea, which was seized in 2014.
Ever since Russian forces entered the territories, Putin’s authorities have put pressure on Ukrainian nationals to take up Russian citizenship, reportedly making it a condition for access to basic provisions such as healthcare and education.
Putin claimed earlier this month that the process of “passportization” was “virtually completed” but the new measure could put further pressure on Ukrainians who have resisted the process.
The presidential decree, which was signed on Thursday, says that those without “legal grounds to stay or reside in Russia” must leave unless they “settle their legal status” by September 10.
It follows domestic legislation passed last month, which makes it easier for Russian authorities to deport foreigners, the Moscow Times reported.
‘Violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty’
Ukraine has regularly condemned attempts to force Ukrainians in occupied areas to become Russian passport holders, branding it illegal and a “gross violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty.”
A report last year by the UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said that Russia “has violated several of its obligations as an occupying power,” including by making it difficult for people to resist taking up Russian passports.
“[The] systems imposed in newly occupied territory have, as a practical matter, effectively compelled people to obtain Russian citizenship in order to access necessary services,” it said.
Several residents interviewed by the OHCHR said they had difficulty getting health treatment, especially more advanced procedures, without Moscow-issued documentation. Others told researchers they had left areas under occupation because of increasing pressure to become Russian nationals.
Many analysts consider the measures a part of a wider policy of Russification, an all-encompassing effort to erase a sense of Ukrainian national identity in regions under Russian control.
Along with enforcing Russian nationality, the occupying forces have skewed the education system to glorify Russia and suppress the Ukrainian language, while locals are targeted by mass arrests designed to root out dissenters, according to Peter Dickinson of the Atlantic Council think tank.
Such efforts appear to meet the definition of ethnic cleansing and may qualify as genocide, Dickinson wrote this week.
A report last year by the UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said that Russia “has violated several of its obligations as an occupying power,” including by making it difficult for people to resist taking up Russian passports.
“[The] systems imposed in newly occupied territory have, as a practical matter, effectively compelled people to obtain Russian citizenship in order to access necessary services,” it said.
Several residents interviewed by the OHCHR said they had difficulty getting health treatment, especially more advanced procedures, without Moscow-issued documentation. Others told researchers they had left areas under occupation because of increasing pressure to become Russian nationals.
Many analysts consider the measures a part of a wider policy of Russification, an all-encompassing effort to erase a sense of Ukrainian national identity in regions under Russian control.
Along with enforcing Russian nationality, the occupying forces have skewed the education system to glorify Russia and suppress the Ukrainian language, while locals are targeted by mass arrests designed to root out dissenters, according to Peter Dickinson of the Atlantic Council think tank.
Such efforts appear to meet the definition of ethnic cleansing and may qualify as genocide, Dickinson wrote this week.
