russian invaders in the temporarily occupied territories are putting pressure on Ukrainians who refuse to receive arussian passport. President putin has even issued a decree according to which citizens with Ukrainian passports are considered foreigners. Learn more about the possible consequences of obtaining a russian passport under Ukrainian law

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The occupied territories of Ukraine live under the influence of the russian terrorist regime. The occupiers continue to repress Ukrainians and force them to give up their legal passports and replace them with a new one - a russian one. Let's find out what consequences await those who accept a passport from the occupiers, and what Ukrainian officials say about this.

Why are Ukrainians being forced to get russian passports?

The main reason for this pressure is the failure of the occupation authorities to implement the kremlin's plan to passportize the occupied territories of Ukraine. This issue has become especially acute in the Kherson region, where the occupiers have forced almost 250,000 citizens to obtain russian passports, according to the underground. 

On April 27, 2023, president putin signed a decree according to which residents of the occupied territories of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk, and Donetsk regions who refused to give up their russian passports and decided to retain Ukrainian citizenship will be able to live in these territories until July 1, 2024, after which they will be deported. However, already in April of this year, the period of stay in the temporarily occupied territories for Ukrainians without russian passports was extended until December 31, 2024. After that, all persons without russian documents will be considered "foreign citizens."

Residents of the temporarily occupied territories who have not received russian passports have fewer and fewer rights. Almost all medical facilities either serve only wounded russian soldiers or simply refuse to treat people without russian passports.

In the previous article, we talked about the Peace Summit, a significant event on the way to peace talks on the war in Ukraine.

What should you do in situations where you are forced to obtain a russian passport?

Residents of the occupied territories sometimes have no other choice but to obtain a russian passport. The only possible way to avoid possible risks and reprisals is to leave. The occupation of many settlements has been going on for over 2 years. Therefore, the issue of obtaining occupation documents may become a prerequisite for survival.

It is important to remember that in Ukraine, the fact of obtaining a russian passport during the occupation is not a crime, and no liability is provided for such actions. Since 2014, the Law "On Ensuring the Rights and Freedoms of Citizens and the Legal Regime in the Temporarily Occupied Territory of Ukraine" has clearly stated that Ukraine does not recognize any documents issued in the occupied territories. This does not apply to documents issued to recognize the fact of birth, death or marriage registration. Since russian occupation passports are not recognized, no criminal liability can be incurred for obtaining them.

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What does the law of Ukraine say about forced passportization?

Ukrainian legislation does not currently stipulate any liability for civilians receiving russian passports under occupation. At the same time, it is worth noting that the government has established liability for officials for forcing people to obtain a russian passport in the russian-occupied territories of Ukraine.

The draft law provides for imprisonment for a term of 10 to 15 years for Ukrainian civil servants who have received a russian passport. Forcing Ukrainian citizens to obtain a russian passport, the term of imprisonment is 8 to 12 years. 

According to lawyers, passports issued in the occupied territories are not recognized by Ukraine and are not grounds for losing Ukrainian citizenship. Therefore, residents of such territories remain Ukrainian citizens even after forced passportization.

It is worth noting that such a step by the russians could be used to mobilize the local population into the ranks of the russian army. However, we should not forget that such mobilization violates international humanitarian law and is a war crime.

If the occupiers are trying to mobilize Ukrainians who have received a russian passport, such persons should avoid conscription by all means and try to leave the occupied territories. 

However, if you or someone you know has been forcibly mobilized to the TOT, you should contact the hotline of the I Want to Live project.

The only center for receiving requests for surrender is Telegram and WhatsApp:

+380 95 68 86 888;

+380 93 68 86 888;

+380 97 68 86 888.

For calls:

+380 44 35 08 917;

688 (only from Ukrainian numbers);

Chatbot.

We remind you! In the first four months of 2024, more than 7.8 million Ukrainians crossed the border, of whom 1.5% did not return. Read more about changes in the trends of departures and returns compared to last year.

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