Lauge Risom Koch 
Russia now requires most citizenship applicants to provide criminal record certificates, but Ukrainians in occupied territories remain exempt under Moscow’s fast-track naturalization programs.
Russia has introduced new citizenship requirements for most foreign applicants, mandating criminal record checks as part of the naturalization process.
However, the new rules do not apply to Ukrainians eligible for Moscow’s simplified citizenship programs in occupied territories.
New requirement
According to Kyiv Post, citing RIA Novosti, Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree requiring foreign nationals and stateless persons seeking Russian citizenship to provide documentation regarding their criminal history.
Applicants must submit a certificate confirming they have no criminal convictions or disclosing any past convictions.
The document must be issued by the relevant authority in the applicant’s country of citizenship or, for stateless individuals, by the country that issued their identity documents.
Under the decree, the certificate cannot be older than three months when submitted.
Citizenship overhaul
According to Kyiv Post, the measure forms part of a broader tightening of Russia’s immigration and citizenship policies.
The decree follows legislation approved by the State Duma in its first reading that would bar foreigners with outstanding or unexpunged criminal convictions from obtaining Russian citizenship or legal residency.
The proposed restrictions would apply regardless of the seriousness of the offense.
Russian authorities have increasingly focused on tightening migration controls in recent years.
Ukrainian exemption
Despite the new requirements, the criminal record provision does not apply to Ukrainians who qualify for Russia’s simplified citizenship procedures.
According to Kyiv Post, this includes residents of Ukrainian territories currently occupied by Russian forces.
Since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, Moscow has expanded fast-track citizenship programs in regions it claims to have annexed.
Ukraine and its Western allies have repeatedly criticized the policy, arguing that the distribution of Russian passports in occupied territories violates international law.
Passport campaign
According to Kyiv Post, British intelligence estimates suggest Russia has issued approximately 3.5 million passports to residents of occupied Ukrainian territories.
Ukrainian officials have alleged that residents have faced pressure to accept Russian citizenship, including threats involving property rights and possible deportation.
The policy has become a key part of Moscow’s efforts to strengthen administrative control over occupied regions.
In May, Putin also signed a separate decree simplifying access to Russian citizenship for residents of Moldova’s breakaway Transnistria region.
Sources: Kyiv Post, RIA Novosti
