Ministry of Justice explains whether Ukrainians in TOT face punishment for forced receipt of Russian passport
Citizens of Ukraine who obtained Russian passports under duress in the temporarily occupied territories (TOTs) will not be held responsible for this. This is reported by the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine.
They emphasize that the Russian Federation often uses coercion on TOT to influence the behavior of the local population, forcing them to act not of their own free will, but under pressure due to fear of reprisals or illegal restrictions. One of the examples of such actions is forced passporting, which is a gross violation of the rights of Ukrainians.
The ministry noted that those who were forced to obtain a Russian passport due to the threat of ill-treatment will not be held liable. According to Article 40 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, if there is evidence of mental coercion, such people are granted full legal protection in court.
The agency also emphasizes the forcible Russification of Ukrainian citizens, which is one of the key tactics of the aggressor country in the occupied territories. A Russian passport is perceived there as a coercive tool, and refusing it as an act of resistance. Due to the difficult living conditions in the occupation, local residents are often forced to accept Russian citizenship.
However, the Ministry of Justice emphasizes that Russian documents have no legal force and are not recognized at the international level.
“Responsibility for actions committed under duress or as a result of fear for one’s life cannot be equivalent to responsibility for the actions or inaction of those who knowingly support the enemy”, — the Ministry of Justice emphasized, adding that forced passporting is illegal and not recognized in Ukraine and the world.
