Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, said “almost 100% … of the whole population who still live on temporary occupied territories of Ukraine” now have Russian passports. In April 2023 came the punishment: Anyone in the occupied territories who did not accept Russian citizenship would be considered stateless and required to register with Russia’s Internal Affairs Ministry. Others welcomed the occupation: Her goddaughter eagerly took Russian citizenship, as did some of her neighbors. One hospital in Zaporizhzhia oblast was ordered to close because the medical staff refused to accept Russian citizenship. By the time the Russian soldiers caught Ryabkov in the street, in December, everyone in his village was either gone or had Russian citizenship.

Source: ABC News March 15, 2024 15:40 UTC