Russia forces children in occupied territories to obtain passports
Russian authorities have introduced another coercive measure in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
The UK Ministry of Defence reported on X, citing intelligence data, that under a new law which came into force on 20 January 2026, Ukrainian children under the age of 14 are now required to hold a Russian international passport in order to leave the occupied areas.
According to British defence intelligence, the move forms part of a systematic policy of Russification. The main objective, analysts say, is to make life as difficult as possible for Ukrainian families seeking to leave Russian-controlled regions while preserving their national identity.
British officials noted: “The Russian law is highly likely intended to complicate the lives of Ukrainians with children who wish to leave Russia-occupied regions of Ukraine. It is also another step in the longstanding Russification policy pursued by the senior leadership of the Russian Federation.”
It should be recalled that occupation authorities have also reportedly restricted mobile communications for residents of occupied territories who do not hold Russian passports. Separately, Elon Musk’s father has stated that he would not oppose obtaining a Russian passport.
