Putin signs 'law' legalizing deportation of Ukrainians from occupied territories

The relevant 'law' was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, the legal information portal reports.

Thus, the 'law' stipulates the possibility of forced and controlled movement of citizens from the territory where martial law has been introduced to the territory where martial law has not been introduced.

It also stipulates the possibility of holding referendums and elections to state and local government bodies if the decision on them is made by the Central Election Commission “following consultations with the federal executive body that performs functions related to the development and implementation of state policy, legal regulation in the field of defense, and the federal executive body.”

According to the 'law,' elections can be held both on the entire territory where martial law has been imposed and on a part of it.

It should be noted that on October 20, 2022, Russia introduced the so-called martial law in the DPR and LPR, as well as in the temporarily occupied part of the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.

• The relevant amendments were submitted to the State Duma on May 16.

• Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree that, among other things, recognizes residents of the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine as foreigners if they refuse to take Russian citizenship.