The Kremlin has been implementing a comprehensive campaign to force Ukrainians living in the occupied territories to adopt Russian citizenship, according to a recent investigation. Evidence suggests that individuals are being denied healthcare and freedom of movement unless they acquire Russian passports. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) conducted interviews with refugees for this investigation, who reported relentless pro-Russian propaganda within the occupied lands.
One refugee, Larysa, shared an incident in which her friend was denied insulin for her diabetes until she applied for a Russian passport. Another friend had to become a Russian citizen to receive treatment for a broken arm. Larysa further revealed that Ukrainians are subjected to various forms of pressure to assimilate as Russians. Without Russian passports, pensions, food, and access to medical services are withheld. Additionally, the presence of numerous checkpoints hinders movement between villages, compelling individuals to obtain Russian identification papers.
The accounts provided by Larysa and other refugees are supported by experiences shared by Lyudmyla and Oksana. Both women left their homes due to the enforcement of the Russian school curriculum on their children. Failing to send their children to these schools results in the deprivation of parental rights. The requirement for children to have Russian passports to attend school adds an extra layer of compulsion for Ukrainian families.
Russia’s distribution of passports to residents of breakaway regions in Georgia in the past raises concerns about the implications of this assimilation campaign. This move was later exploited as part of the justification for Russia’s invasion of Georgia in 2008. The forced acceptance of Russian citizenship by Ukrainian residents poses a threat to Ukraine’s sovereignty.
In 2023, Russia introduced new schoolbooks that distort historical facts to justify its invasion of Ukraine. These schoolbooks falsely depict Ukraine as an aggressive state manipulated by the West and run by nationalist extremists. The move aims to strengthen Russia’s narrative and consolidate its influence over the occupied territories.
Those who experienced the occupation firsthand recount the Russian authorities’ deliberate efforts to shape public opinion. They seized control of television and radio, disseminating propaganda that glorified the Russian army and state. Billboards featuring Russian tsars and slogans promoting Russian history were erected throughout occupied cities. The Russian school curriculum, particularly the history course, was introduced to manipulate the perspectives of younger generations.
The ongoing Russification attempts in the occupied territories are likened to weapons, albeit moral ones. The psychological impact of these efforts is described as intense and burdensome, as they perpetually oppress the Ukrainian population. The campaign to assimilate Ukrainians as Russians poses a significant challenge to Ukraine’s cultural identity and autonomy.
The international community should closely monitor Russia’s actions and condemn its attempts to coerce Ukrainian citizens into changing their nationality. These efforts undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and violate individuals’ rights to healthcare, freedom of movement, and education. The EU and other organizations should provide support and assistance to the affected population, ensuring their basic needs are met and protecting their human rights.
Ukraine conflict: Widespread Russian efforts to assimilate Ukrainians in occupied territories
