Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has signed a decree granting citizenship to 14 foreigners who fought for Ukrainian volunteer battalions and the military in the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
The decree, signed on June 28, states that the individuals, one of whom is a Russian woman, “took part in protecting the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.”
Among the recipients was Yulia Tolopa, a resident of the southern Russian city of Pyatigorsk who came to Ukraine at the height of the anti-government protests known as the Maidan in early 2014.
She later joined the Aidar and Donbas volunteer battalions when a Russian-backed armed uprising erupted in April 2014 in eastern Ukraine.
Tolopa later enlisted in the 58th Brigade of Ukraine’s armed forces.
Migration authorities denied her citizenship three times because she couldn’t provide proof that she didn’t have a criminal record in Russia.
In interviews she gave to Ukrainian media, Tolopa said she was afraid to enter the Russian consulate in Kyiv to obtain documentation.
Tolopa also gave birth to a daughter in Ukraine and still serves in the army.
Zelenskiy Grants Citizenship to 14 Foreigners Who Defended Ukraine's Territory
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.
Editors' Picks
Top Trending
1
Iranian IRGC Warship Crosses Equator For First Time
2With ATACMS In Hand, Ukraine Looks To Neutralize Putin's Fortress In Crimea
3Some 400 Naturalized Russians Stripped Of Citizenship Under New Law
4Austin Calls On Countries That Have Patriot Air Defense Systems To Transfer Them To Ukraine
5U.S. Weapons Are Coming To Ukraine. But Russian Forces Have The Momentum.
6Eyewitnesses Say Georgian Police Used Rubber Bullets In Crackdown On Protesters
7Xi Heads To Europe Looking For A Larger Chinese Role In Ukraine
8Russia Breached Global Chemical Weapons Ban In Ukraine War, U.S. Says
9Duchess Sophie Visits Ukraine In First Trip By British Royal Since Start Of War
10As Telegram's Popularity Soars, Is It 'A Spy In Every Ukrainian's Pocket'?
Subscribe
