Russia Mandates Citizenship or Expulsion for Ukrainians in Occupied Territories

A new Kremlin decree intensifies efforts to erase Ukrainian identity through forced Russification and demographic manipulation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a decree requiring Ukrainians in occupied territories to accept Russian citizenship or leave by September 10, 2025.
The policy includes mandatory medical testing for residents, with screenings for infectious diseases and drug use required by June 10, 2025.
Ukrainians who refuse Russian citizenship face restrictions on healthcare, employment, and property rights, further pressuring compliance.
The decree is part of a broader strategy of Russification aimed at erasing Ukrainian culture and identity in illegally annexed regions.
Russia has relocated tens of thousands of its citizens to occupied areas, altering the demographic composition to consolidate control.