Citizens of occupied Ukraine forced to accept Russian Federation passports, MOD says

Russia is "almost certainly coercing the population" of occupied areas of Ukraine "to accept Russian Federation passports", the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has said.

In the latest defence update, the MOD said residents in Kherson have been threatened with deportation and having their property seized if they have not accepted a Russian passport by 1 June.

"Russia is using passports as a tool in the 'Russification' of the occupied areas, as it did in Donetsk and Luhansk before the February 2022 invasion," the MOD said.

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"Russia is likely expediating the integration of the occupied areas of Ukraine into the bureaucracy of the Russian Federation to help paint the invasion as a success, especially in the run-up to the 2024 presidential elections."

It comes after the Russian military launched a recruitment campaign calling for "real men" to quit their civilian jobs as taxi drivers and security guards to become 'contract' soldiers.

Portraying their jobs as unfulfilling and demeaning, the advert promises a monthly starting salary starting from 204,000 roubles (£2,010), which is more than double the average salary in Russia – around £600.

The high-production ad set to ominous music follows reports from British intelligence in March that stated that Russian authorities were preparing to start a major recruitment campaign with the aim of signing up an additional 400,000 troops.

"Russia is presenting the campaign as a drive for volunteer, professional personnel, rather than a new, mandatory mobilisation," the MOD said.