Putin's ultimatum: Ukrainians in Russia must legalize or leave by 2025

Many details shared by Russian media and authorities are considered elements of propaganda. These reports are part of the information war conducted by the Russian Federation.

Putin's decree states that Ukrainian citizens without legal grounds to remain in the Russian Federation must leave the country or "regularize their legal status" by September 10, 2025.

Putin has also ordered that Ukrainians staying in the country illegally should not be prosecuted. They are expected to approach the Ministry of Internal Affairs to request legalization themselves.

According to the decree, foreigners and "stateless" individuals residing in the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic and Donetsk People's Republic, as well as in the occupied parts of the Zaporizhia and Kherson regions, must undergo medical examinations by June 10 to confirm they are not infected with the HIV virus. Additionally, checks will be conducted to ensure they are not addicted to drugs.

In May 2024, a decree was issued allowing Ukrainians to stay in Russia indefinitely and work without special permits if they undergo fingerprinting, photography, and a medical examination. The Ministry of Internal Affairs noted, however, that most have not regularized their status. According to the ministry, many individuals are not interested in doing so, which, according to Russia, poses a threat to national security.

In July 2022, Putin signed a decree expanding the possibility of acquiring simplified Russian citizenship to residents of all of Ukraine. Previously, in July 2019, he streamlined the procedure for obtaining Russian citizenship for residents of the self-proclaimed DPR and LPR, and in May 2022, for residents of the occupied Zaporizhia and Kherson regions of Ukraine.