News
President Vladimir Putin has signed an executive order ruling that Ukrainian citizens living in Russian-occupied territories and holders of so-called “DPR” and “LPR” passports have to acquire Russian citizenship by 30 September 2023. Failure to do so could result in them being recognized as foreign nationals or stateless persons and deported.
According to the order, those who refuse to acquire Russian citizenship will be able to remain in their place of residence until July 1, 2024.
The document also contains a clause stating that people who are deemed threats to “national security” and are suspected of planning extremist and terrorist crimes may be deported. It is not clear where the Russian government plans to deport these people, as the order contains no clarifications on the matter.
Earlier, Russian state-run news agency RIA Novosti published a video of Zaporizhzhia residents being deported to Ukraine.