Russia may deport Ukrainians in occupied areas without Russian passports - Regional Military Administration

In particular, Fedorov noted that starting September 10, Ukrainians in the temporarily occupied territories who have not obtained Russian passports will, under a decree by Russian President Vladimir Putin, be classified as illegal migrants and threatened with deportation from their native homes.

The decree, signed by Putin in March 2024, obliges Ukrainian citizens "illegally residing in Russia" to either leave or legalize their stay by September 10.

According to the Head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration, surviving in temporarily occupied territories without a Russian passport is nearly impossible. Without it:

• There is no access to healthcare, even emergency care;
• Children cannot attend school, and parents risk losing parental rights;
• Working in most sectors is prohibited;
• Lack of a passport at checkpoints or during searches can result in arrest;
• Property not registered under Russian law is considered "ownerless" and seized.
• At the same time, even holding a Russian passport does not guarantee safety.

"If you are Ukrainian, you are at risk. Forced passportization is a tool Russia uses to strengthen its influence over people, make them dependent on the occupation authorities, and establish stricter control over residents of the temporarily occupied territories," Fedorov stressed.

Forced passportization under occupation

Since January 5, a registry of "controlled persons" has been operating in the temporarily occupied territories, where Russia records Ukrainians who have not obtained Russian passports.

In addition, Russia adopted a law allowing police to enter homes in temporarily occupied territories, again targeting those without Russian passports. This so-called law came into effect on March 5, 2025.