**Britain Accuses Russia of Forcing Ukrainians to Accept Russian Citizenship**
The British intelligence has labeled a decree by Russian President Vladimir Putin as a new wave of “Russification policy” in Ukraine. The decree, signed on March 20, forces Ukrainian citizens without legal status in Russia-occupied territories to obtain Russian documents and leave before September 10.
**Forced Departure**
According to the British intelligence report, Putin’s decree is likely meant to force Ukrainians who refuse to accept Russian passport and citizenship to leave Russian-occupied territory. The report also accuses Russia of continuing to pursue a Russification policy in Ukraine, which involves erasing Ukrainian culture and identity.
**Occupied Territories**
Russia has been accused of “erroneously and illegally” defining Ukrainian territories in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia oblasts, and Crimea as part of Russia. This comes after the U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, sparked controversy by echoing Russian propaganda about the five Ukrainian regions.
**Annexation**
Russia has illegally annexed Crimea in 2014 and partially occupied Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts in 2022. The international community has rejected these referendums as null and void. Russia has also been accused of systemically terrorizing Ukrainian civilians and committing war crimes in sovereign territories.
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