The Daily Struggle: Russia's Nationals in Limbo Over Ukraine Residency Permits
In the midst of an ongoing conflict that has pitted two nations against each other, Russian nationals living in Ukraine are struggling to secure their residency permits and citizenship. For many, it's a bureaucratic quagmire that leaves them feeling frustrated, anxious, and disconnected from their new home.
The road to Ukrainian citizenship is fraught with obstacles for those seeking refuge from Russia's war efforts. The process requires multiple rounds of paperwork, and even then, the outcome can be uncertain. For Taras, a 45-year-old graphic designer who has lived in Ukraine for over a decade, the journey has been particularly arduous.
Born in what is now Russia but raised in Ukraine, Taras was initially granted a Russian passport after turning 16. However, his decision to pursue Ukrainian citizenship was complicated when Kyiv severed diplomatic ties with Moscow in 2014. The process of obtaining a new passport took him 11 years and two trials.
The challenges faced by Russian nationals are compounded by the fact that Ukraine has banned dual citizenship until June 2025. This requirement means that individuals must prove they have withdrawn from their previous citizenship, which can be a difficult task for those who may have been born in Russia but hold Ukrainian ancestry or married into a Ukrainian family.
Many Russians living in Ukraine are also struggling with expired passports, which require multiple trips to neighboring countries like Moldova to renew. The process is time-consuming and expensive, leaving some feeling trapped in limbo.
Daria Tarasenko, a Kyiv-based migration lawyer, notes that there have been cases where the Ukrainian migration services have refused to renew expired residence permits. "It's a nightmare for many of our clients," she says. "They're stuck with passports that expire soon, and they don't know how to get new ones."
The situation has become so dire that some Russians living in Ukraine have resorted to drastic measures. In early January, an advertising executive named Andriy Kramar burned his wife's Russian passport on a gas stove as a protest against the difficulties he's faced in obtaining Ukrainian citizenship.
As the conflict rages on, many Russian nationals are left feeling like they're caught between two worlds. For Taras, the wait for his new passport is finally over, but the journey has taken a toll on his mental health. "That alone could drive you crazy," he says of the uncertainty and frustration that comes with trying to navigate Ukraine's complex residency permit system.
The situation highlights the need for more clarity and support for Russian nationals living in Ukraine. Until the war ends, many will continue to face uncertainty and bureaucratic obstacles.
In the midst of an ongoing conflict that has pitted two nations against each other, Russian nationals living in Ukraine are struggling to secure their residency permits and citizenship. For many, it's a bureaucratic quagmire that leaves them feeling frustrated, anxious, and disconnected from their new home.
The road to Ukrainian citizenship is fraught with obstacles for those seeking refuge from Russia's war efforts. The process requires multiple rounds of paperwork, and even then, the outcome can be uncertain. For Taras, a 45-year-old graphic designer who has lived in Ukraine for over a decade, the journey has been particularly arduous.
Born in what is now Russia but raised in Ukraine, Taras was initially granted a Russian passport after turning 16. However, his decision to pursue Ukrainian citizenship was complicated when Kyiv severed diplomatic ties with Moscow in 2014. The process of obtaining a new passport took him 11 years and two trials.
The challenges faced by Russian nationals are compounded by the fact that Ukraine has banned dual citizenship until June 2025. This requirement means that individuals must prove they have withdrawn from their previous citizenship, which can be a difficult task for those who may have been born in Russia but hold Ukrainian ancestry or married into a Ukrainian family.
Many Russians living in Ukraine are also struggling with expired passports, which require multiple trips to neighboring countries like Moldova to renew. The process is time-consuming and expensive, leaving some feeling trapped in limbo.
Daria Tarasenko, a Kyiv-based migration lawyer, notes that there have been cases where the Ukrainian migration services have refused to renew expired residence permits. "It's a nightmare for many of our clients," she says. "They're stuck with passports that expire soon, and they don't know how to get new ones."
The situation has become so dire that some Russians living in Ukraine have resorted to drastic measures. In early January, an advertising executive named Andriy Kramar burned his wife's Russian passport on a gas stove as a protest against the difficulties he's faced in obtaining Ukrainian citizenship.
As the conflict rages on, many Russian nationals are left feeling like they're caught between two worlds. For Taras, the wait for his new passport is finally over, but the journey has taken a toll on his mental health. "That alone could drive you crazy," he says of the uncertainty and frustration that comes with trying to navigate Ukraine's complex residency permit system.
The situation highlights the need for more clarity and support for Russian nationals living in Ukraine. Until the war ends, many will continue to face uncertainty and bureaucratic obstacles.
I mean, 11 years is ages! And what's with the bureaucracy? It's like they're trying to make it hard on people who just want to start a new life in Ukraine. The fact that they have to prove they've withdrawn from their previous citizenship is rediculous 
I mean, can't they just renew those? It's not like it's a huge process or anything. And what about people who can't afford to go to Moldova for months at a time? That's just cruel 
They're stuck in limbo, feeling anxious and frustrated, and it's just not right. And what about the person who burned his wife's passport on the gas stove? I get why he was angry, but that's just not a solution 
Russia-Ukraine conflict is a nightmare for 10s of thousands... how come not more clarity? 
and another thing, what's up with the passport renewal process in moldova? thats a whole other headache 
.
. and expired passports? that's just ridiculous 
. I'd say this is all about how governments handle their own citizens in times of crisis, and it's not looking good for Russia's nationals in Ukraine 
. this isn't just a Russian-Ukrainian issue; it's about how we treat our own citizens 
. so, let's get to work on making sure everyone has clear paths to citizenship and residency 
.
. Expired passports are another thing, that's just ridiculous. I mean, what if u need 2 renew it ASAP but there's no way 2 get one in time? It's like they're playing with ppl's lives here... Daria is right though, it's a nightmare for clients 
"You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending." - C.S. Lewis
. We need to be thinking about ways to support these individuals and make the process less painful 
.
.