Russia Seizes Land from Ukrainians Refusing Citizenship in Occupied Territories

Russian forces in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine have intensified their efforts to strip local residents of rights, targeting individuals who have not accepted Russian citizenship.

According to the National Resistance Center (NRC), authorities in the Luhansk region have confiscated land from Ukrainian citizens without Russian passports.

The NRC reports that Russian officials conducted a new “inventory” of land within the occupied territories of Luhansk.

During this process, they identified approximately 18,000 hectares of land categorized as “ownerless.” However, these lands reportedly include plots owned by Ukrainians who chose not to obtain Russian citizenship or passports.

Earlier this year, Russian authorities imposed new restrictions on Ukrainians in occupied territories, classifying those who refused Russian citizenship as “foreigners” and stripping them of access to pensions, social benefits, and healthcare.

Non-citizens are now required to register as “foreign nationals” or obtain temporary residence permits, with their stay limited to 90 days annually.