Ukraine Makes It Easier for People Born in Occupied Territories to Return Home

New Rules Ease the Path Home for Ukrainians from Occupied Areas

According to Главком: The Ukrainian government has approved a new experimental procedure aimed at helping citizens return from temporarily occupied territories. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced that the initiative simplifies identity verification and offers free documentation for individuals born in these areas after 1991 who have never held a Ukrainian passport.

This effort is designed to assist Ukrainians facing severe challenges due to prolonged occupation.

“We understood the scale of the problem for Ukrainians in temporarily occupied territories, linked to the length of the occupation and the difficulty of leaving via neighboring countries like Russia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs took responsibility and a leadership role in coordinating this new experimental procedure,” Sybiha stated.

How the New Document Process Works

Eligible individuals can apply for a return identity document at any Ukrainian embassy or consulate abroad, free of charge. Simplified identity verification can now be done remotely via video link, based on testimony from a legally capable family member who is a Ukrainian citizen.

“From now on, Ukrainians born in temporarily occupied territories who never had Ukrainian passports can approach our embassies and consulates to obtain a return identity document. With this, they can come back to Ukraine and later apply for a Ukrainian ID card and a foreign passport,” the minister added.

The new procedure addresses the needs of Ukrainians who have been unable to obtain documents for an extended period. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has also stepped up operations in dangerous and hard-to-reach areas, conducting 277 field visits since the start of the year. This experimental order marks a significant step toward bringing Ukrainians back to their homeland.

Introducing this new process for returning Ukrainians from occupied territories is a crucial move in restoring the rights and freedoms of citizens affected by the occupation. It also reflects the Ukrainian government’s growing focus on the plight of war victims and aids their reintegration into society. A key part of this effort is simplifying access to documents, which will help returnees adapt more easily once they are back home.

In addition to the new measures for returning citizens, the Ukrainian government has also introduced reforms aimed at supporting families of captured and missing soldiers. These changes facilitate the registration of children in such families, ensuring that their rights are protected during these challenging times. To learn more about these important updates, read our article on easing child registration rules.