Moscow, March 21, 2025 – The Europe Today: Ukrainian nationals residing in Russia without valid documentation have until September 10 to legalize their stay or leave the country, according to a decree signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday.
The order states that Ukrainian citizens who complete mandatory medical registration, fingerprinting, and photographing with the Russian Interior Ministry will not be penalized for violating residency rules until the deadline.
Legal Pathways for Residency
To obtain legal residency, Ukrainians must secure employment or enroll in an educational program in Russia. The decree, which took effect immediately, also requires the Russian Health Ministry to provide medical examinations and registration services for undocumented Ukrainian migrants.
Under Russia’s standard visa procedures, applicants must undergo medical testing to confirm the absence of illegal drug use and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.
Expanded Scope of the Decree
The new regulations also apply to all foreign nationals and stateless individuals in the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, as well as the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics—territories that Russia formally incorporated in 2022. Individuals in these regions must complete their medical screenings by June 10.
According to the Russian Interior Ministry, more than 3.5 million people in these regions have received Russian passports. Before the war, Ukraine estimated the combined population of these areas at approximately 8.8 million.
Mass Migration Since the Conflict Escalation
As of late 2024, around 740,000 undocumented migrants were residing in Russia. Meanwhile, more than 5.3 million Ukrainians have fled to Russia since the Ukraine conflict escalated in February 2022, according to Russian state news agency TASS.
