"If You Don't Surrender Your Passport, No Food" Russia Faces Controversy Over Forced Nationality Change for Occupied Area Residents

Roe "Residents Willingly Accept Citizenship"
"If Passport Not Received, Food and Medical Services Will Be Stopped"

Russia has sparked controversy by forcibly issuing Russian citizenship in the recently occupied strategic area of Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine. While the Russian government claims that residents are voluntarily applying, it is reported that in reality, those who do not change their nationality to Russian face suspension of food and medical supplies as a method of forced nationality conversion.

On the 17th (local time), a Russian soldier in Avdiivka, a strategic point in eastern Ukraine, is asking an elderly Ukrainian about their well-being. After occupying the area, Russia has been forcibly granting Russian citizenship to the residents. [Image source=TASS·Yonhap News]

According to Newsweek on the 25th (local time), Russian citizenship began to be issued last week in Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast, eastern Ukraine, which was occupied by Russian forces. Dmytro Shevchenko, the head of Yasinuvata in Donetsk Oblast appointed by the Russian side, announced through his social media account that "the first residents of liberated Avdiivka have received Russian Federation citizenship."

Earlier, Ukrainian forces withdrew from Avdiivka on the 17th, and Russian forces declared full occupation of the city the following day. Ukrainian troops fought fiercely against Russian forces in Avdiivka for over four months but ultimately withdrew due to shortages of shells and manpower disadvantages. Some Ukrainian soldiers who failed to escape are presumed to have been captured.

Russian authorities are reportedly forcibly granting Russian citizenship to residents in order to fully incorporate Avdiivka, a very important strategic point on the eastern front, into Russian territory. Previously, Avdiivka was a key location where Ukraine’s main air defense systems and interceptor missiles were forward-deployed, serving as an air defense fortress that prevented Russian fighter jets from bombing major cities such as Kyiv beyond the eastern front.

The U.S. Institute for the Study of War (ISW) pointed out that "Russian authorities are restricting essential medical and other services, as well as food distribution, to residents holding Russian passports," and that "residents are being effectively forced to obtain Russian passports." Russian authorities are promoting the narrative that citizenship is being granted at the voluntary request of residents.

Ukrainian residents are also compelled to change their nationality for survival. A Ukrainian refugee named Larisa testified to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) that "without a Russian passport, pensions are not paid, food is not provided, and medical services cannot be accessed," drawing criticism from the international community for violating humanitarian principles.