Summary
Many Russian nationals living in Ukraine face difficulties with citizenship processes and mistreatment due to their Russian passports. They must navigate challenging legal and bureaucratic systems to obtain or maintain Ukrainian citizenship, especially amid ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia.
Key Facts
- Over 150,000 Russian nationals live in Ukraine, many of whom are related to Ukrainians or were born in Ukraine.
- Some Russian nationals have sought refuge in Ukraine due to dissident views or have volunteered to support the Ukrainian army.
- Russian citizens in Ukraine face complex procedures to renew residence permits or obtain Ukrainian citizenship.
- Ukraine banned dual citizenship until June 2025, requiring Russian nationals to renounce their Russian citizenship for Ukrainian citizenship.
- Russian nationals often have to prove they have no legal issues or financial obligations in Russia to qualify for Ukrainian citizenship.
- Problems arise with expiring Russian passports, often requiring multiple trips abroad to renew them.
- Some cases have seen Ukraine's migration service refusing to renew residence permits or stripping Ukrainian citizenship when deadlines are missed.
- Legal challenges have occurred, with some Ukrainian courts ruling against these decisions by migration services.
