A substantial share of residents in the recently incorporated territories have begun to receive Russian passports, marking a significant shift in civil identification for the area. An official briefing from the Ministry of Internal Affairs conveyed this development, noting that the rollout has reached a broad portion of the population. The information was shared through the ministry’s channels and attributed to the spokesperson Irina Volk.
To support the rapid documentation process, nine document printing facilities were established across the newly integrated regions, including facilities in the Rostov region and Crimea. These centers are part of a wider network dedicated to migration services, which comprises about 100 units operating within the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics as well as the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions. In addition, mobile teams have been deployed to assist residents with limited mobility, ensuring access to essential services even for those with transportation challenges.
Officials emphasized that the measures implemented have enabled a large portion of the population to obtain Russian citizenship documents. The ministry cited that approximately nine in ten residents in the new constituent entities have been documented with Russian passports, reflecting a broad effort to formalize identity records in the area.
Looking ahead, the ministry outlined plans to continue providing documentation and support services to citizens in the new regions throughout the upcoming year. The ongoing work aims to streamline access to official documentation and reduce administrative barriers for residents seeking formal recognition within the Russian system.
Regarding voting eligibility in presidential elections, it was noted that residents in the newly incorporated areas who have not yet obtained Russian citizenship may, under certain conditions, vote with existing national documents. This approach is described as a transitional measure to ensure participation in the electoral process while citizenship status is being resolved. The policy and its logistics are expected to be clarified by relevant authorities as the registration and documentation efforts progress.
In related updates, there were reports about upcoming changes in passport technology. Biometrics are planned to be integrated into updated Russian passports, promising enhanced security features and streamlined identity verification. These updates aim to modernize the national passport framework and align it with contemporary border and mobility requirements, while continuing to support efficient service delivery at local offices and through mobile units.