In Ukraine, where Russia continues its military invasion, two new states, including the South, have issued Russian passports to residents.
The Ukrainian government has argued that it is a "serious sovereignty infringement", with the aim of accelerating the establishment of control.
Russian passports were issued in Helson, the central city of Helson in southern Ukraine, which is virtually controlled by Russian troops, and Melitopol, the city of Zaporizhia in the southeast.
According to the Russian news agency, 23 citizens who applied for it in Helson received their passports.
This is the first time that a passport has actually been issued after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a presidential decree last month to simplify the acquisition of Russian citizenship for residents of two states.
However, according to Ukrainian media, some citizens who were taken to Russia or forced to evacuate after the military invasion were forced to write passport applications.
In response, the Ukrainian government has intensified its opposition, saying that it is a "serious sovereignty violation," and on the 11th, the Vice-Chairman of the Helson State Legislature said, "Helson residents refuse to issue passports or grant Russian nationality. I will prove that the revival of the Russian empire is impossible, "he posted on SNS, emphasizing his readiness to resist.
The Putin administration has been promoting a policy of issuing passports to residents of the controlled areas in eastern Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts to give them Russian nationality, but with the start of similar measures in two new states, The Ukrainian side is wary that Russia's rule will be accelerated.