**Forced Passportization in Occupied Ukraine: A Tool of Terror**
In a disturbing development, occupation authorities in occupied Kherson Oblast are forcing parents to obtain Russian passports or risk losing their parental rights. The Center for National Resistance reported on July 30 that this is just one more way Russia is using terror tactics to assert its control over the region.
Kherson Oblast Governor Ivan Dudary told the center that these documents were not just papers, but “instruments of terror”. This statement highlights the true nature of Russia’s actions in occupied Ukraine. By forcing civilians to obtain Russian passports, Russia aims to erase their Ukrainian identity and establish its own dominance.
**Threats and Intimidation**
In the village of Askaniya-Nova, which is located deep within occupied territory, parents have been threatened with the removal of their children or loss of parental rights if they refuse to obtain Russian passports. This is a blatant attempt by Russia to manipulate and intimidate civilians into complying with its demands.
The situation is even more dire for those who do not possess Russian documents. Without them, Ukrainian civilians living under occupation cannot receive medical assistance, pass through military checkpoints, or risk mobilization. It’s a Catch-22 that makes it impossible for people to survive in occupied territories without yielding to Russia’s demands.
**A Tool of Control**
Kateryna Rashevska, a legal advisor at the Regional Center for Human Rights in Kyiv, previously stated that “parents are manipulated because of their children, and children are manipulated because of their education”. This statement highlights the cynical tactics being used by Russia to assert its control over occupied Ukraine.
By forcing civilians to obtain Russian passports, Russia is effectively erasing their Ukrainian identity. It’s a calculated move designed to break the will of the Ukrainian people and establish a permanent grip on the region.
**The Human Cost**
The consequences of forced passportization are severe for those who refuse to comply. Parents may lose their children, families may be torn apart, and individuals may face severe punishment or even death. The human cost of Russia’s aggression is staggering, and it’s imperative that the international community takes action to protect the rights and dignity of Ukrainian civilians.
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