Russia Offers Fast-Tracks Citizenship To Residents In Southern Ukraine

Russia claimed full control of the Kherson region in mid-March, and also holds parts of the Zaporizhzhia region [File: Olexandr Chornyi/AP Photo]  

Reuters: Russia offers fast-track citizenship to residents of occupied Ukraine 

Russian forces launched offensives on towns in eastern Ukraine on Wednesday, with constant mortar bombardment destroying several houses and killing civilians.

President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Wednesday simplifying the process for residents of Ukraine's Russian-occupied Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions to acquire Russian citizenship and passports. 

The decree extends a scheme available since 2019 to residents of areas controlled by Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk regions.  

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WNU Editor: This is what the Kremlin is laying the groundwork to do .... Russian senator hints at possible annexation of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions (Ukrayinska Pravda). 

The response from Kyiv has been swift .... Kyiv denounces Putin’s ‘illegal’ plan for issuing Russian passports in Ukraine (The Guardian/AFP). 

 Russia Offers Fast-Tracks Citizenship To Residents In Southern Ukraine  

Russia offers Ukrainians in conflict zones quick citizenship -- AP  

Russia Simplifies Citizenship for Ukrainians in Captured Territories -- Moscow Times  

Putin approves fast-track citizenship for people in captured Ukraine in a possible lead-up to Russian annexation -- Business Insider 

Russia fast-tracks citizenship to residents in southern Ukraine -- Al Jazeera