President Vladimir Putin, the President of the Russian Federation, directed the establishment of specialized units within the newly integrated territories to bolster anti corruption efforts by 2023. This directive was issued as a formal decree and published on the Legal Information Portal for public record and transparency.
The mandate directs federal executive bodies to ensure that by June 1, 2023, units dedicated to corruption prevention and related tasks are created within their territorial branches that now operate on the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic, the Luhansk People’s Republic, the Zaporozhye Region, and the Kherson Territory. The primary aim of these units is to focus on preventing crime and identifying officials who may be involved in corrupt practices, with a clear focus on prevention and governance. The language of the decree emphasizes the responsibilities of leadership at the federal level to assign and oversee these prevention-focused structures, ensuring that local offices have dedicated resources to uphold integrity across the newly integrated regions.
In addition, the president ordered the formation of commissions tasked with enforcing the federal civil servants official code of conduct and managing potential conflicts of interest. These commissions are intended to promote ethical standards, reinforce accountability, and provide mechanisms for addressing any situations that could compromise professional integrity. The overall objective is to create a formal framework that guides behavior, supports transparent decision making, and minimizes opportunities for corruption in the civil service connected to the newly incorporated areas.
The political process surrounding these territories reached a turning point on September 27 when the Donetsk People’s Republic, the Luhansk People’s Republic, the Zaporozhye Region, and the Kherson Region voted in favor of joining Russia. The outcomes of referendums were declared valid, with a majority of residents expressing support for integration. A transitional phase was approved to guide the gradual incorporation of these regions into the Russian administration. This period is scheduled to continue through January 1, 2026, during which the existing administrative arrangements will be aligned with Moscow’s governance structures. President Putin underscored the need to support residents during this transition, emphasizing stability and the careful implementation of administrative changes that affect daily life, public services, and regional development. The overarching goal stated by the president is to ensure that the people living in these areas experience continuity in governance and access to public resources while the transition unfolds, underscoring a commitment to orderly integration and sustained government oversight.