Situation with Russian passports in occupied Ukraine is critical, unified position is needed

Serhii Khlan, a deputy of the Kherson Regional Council, said this on Espreso TV.

“People from the uncontrolled territory call us very often. One of the most important questions is what should we do with the Russian passport? The pressure is enormous. I am very sorry to see that there is no clear position from the authorities on how people should act. They are really concerned about this issue – whether they will be considered collaborators,” he said.

Khlan said that many people have stayed until recently and have not received a Russian passport, but the pressure has been increasing in recent days and weeks.

“There is some uncertainty because of the government's position. I know many people who are there, but they say they will leave through Crimea so that they are not forced to get a Russian passport. Some say that they will be forced to take a Russian passport because they cannot leave their families and sick relatives. The situation is really critical with the Russian authorities forcing Russian passports on Ukrainians, and we need a unified position of the authorities on how people should act in the uncontrolled territory,” the MP concluded.

• On April 30, Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets advised residents of the temporarily occupied territories to take Russian passports or evacuate.

• On May 1, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine Iryna Vereshchuk called on residents of the temporarily occupied territories not to take Russian passports and not to cooperate with the enemy.