Invaders issuing Russian passports to residents of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya, Kherson Oblasts
About 25 Russian passports were issued in the occupied city of Kherson on June11 alone, including to Volodymyr Saldo, the Russian-appointed "governor" of Kherson Oblast.
Read also: Ukraine's army counterattacking in Kherson Oblast, say local authorities
It is also reported that the first Russian passports were issued in the occupied town of Melitopol of Zaporizhzhya Oblast.
The Russian media claim that the "passportization" of the local population is dedicated to Russia Day, which is celebrated annually on June 12.
In the summer of 2019, Russia began illegally issuing its passports to residents of the occupied territories of the Donbas. The documents were issued in Russia's Rostov Oblast.
Read also: Russian forbids abducted Ukrainians residence in occupied Crimea without a Russian passport
A special decree signed by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin allowed residents of the occupied areas of the Donbas to obtain Russian citizenship under a fast-track procedure.
In response to Russia's actions, Ukraine has appealed to the UN Security Council to take action.
On May 25, Putin signed a decree on the simplified issuance of Russian passports to residents of Zaporizhzhya and Kherson Oblasts of Ukraine.
