Russian President Vladimir Putin will “swipe the passports of citizens who criticize Russia’s war with Ukraine just days after the humiliating withdrawal of his troops from Kherson.
In March, the Russian parliament introduced legislation criminalizing protests against the conflict in Ukraine and “discrediting” the Russian army. Those who did not comply were told they could face up to 15 years in prison.
And now Putin is reportedly proposing changes to a bill targeting non-native citizens who acquired Russian passports during the occupation of the key southern city by Moscow forces.
Many Ukrainians were either forced or given no choice to change their nationality because of Russian threats, reports the Kyiv Independent.
The acts considered crimes are “discrediting the Russian army,” “spreading fake news,” and “involvement in the activities of an undesirable organization,” reported independent Russian media outlet Meduza, citing a Kremlin-run news agency .
The amendments were proposed to a bill that has only passed the first reading so far.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (pictured) is reportedly looking to amend a law that would allow the Kremlin to withdraw the passports of citizens who criticize the war in Ukraine
Putin is believed to be keen to make the changes following the humiliating withdrawal of his troops from the key city of Kherson. Pictured: Ukrainians celebrate in Odessa yesterday
The southern city has been the only regional capital that Kremlin forces have been able to capture since Putin’s invasion began in February. Pictured: Ukrainians celebrate on Independence Square in Kyiv
The possible enforcement comes two days after Russia’s embarrassing loss of Kherson after Kiev forces retook the city.
The southern city has been the only regional capital that Kremlin forces have been able to capture since Putin’s invasion began in February.
In what appeared to be a final act of retaliation, Moscow troops blew up the Nova Kakhovka dam as they retreated across the Dnipro River, reportedly destroying the Antonovsky Bridge, which is the other main crossing point across the river in the Kherson region.
It is not known whether the destruction was done in revenge for the retreat or as a tactical measure to prevent Ukrainian troops from chasing Russian forces – Putin is yet to comment publicly on the action.
A Ukrainian official described the situation in Kherson as “a humanitarian catastrophe”.
“I don’t understand what kind of people they are. I don’t know why they did that,” said local resident Yevhen Teliezhenko, wrapped in a Ukrainian flag.
Ukrainian troops were hailed as heroes on their return to celebrations in the retaken city of Kherson
Kiev armed forces were even seen signing autographs on Ukrainian flags on a day of celebration in the city of Kherson
Kherson was the first major city to fall to Russian forces and the only regional capital they captured – occupied for eight months before being liberated
Still, he added, “it got easier to breathe” after the Russians were gone.
“There is no better holiday than what is happening now,” he declared.
Ukrainian troops arriving in Kherson last week were greeted by cheering civilians cheering and waving flags.
It signaled an end to the brutal Russian occupation that has been ongoing since February, with phone and internet connections being restored, allowing people to call concerned relatives living out of town for the first time in months.
Russian flags were torn down in front of administrative buildings and replaced with Ukraine’s yellow and blue, with videos showing citizens crying thanking soldiers.
Flag-waving locals wept, chanted the name of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, hugged and kissed troops as they arrived at the city’s main square.
Last night a defiant Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his troops were already securing the area and dealing with the threats left by the Russians.
He said: “As of this evening, the defense forums have controlled more than 60 settlements in the Kherson region, the police have started stabilization measures. Stabilization measures are also underway in Kherson.
“Our explosives experts are very busy throughout the liberated area. Almost 2,000 explosive objects have already been removed, mines, tripwires, duds.
The changes proposed by Putin concerned a bill that has only passed the first reading so far
“Before fleeing Kherson, the occupiers destroyed critical infrastructure, communications, water supply, heat, electricity. The Russian armed forces have the same goal everywhere – maximum mockery of the people. But we will restore everything, believe me.’
He added that fierce fighting continued in the Donetsk region but promised his forces would not stop until all Ukrainian territory was retaken.
“Although it takes time, but everyone already understands that the result will be ours, the Ukrainians,” he said.
“And above all, these are words of thanks to those who have to endure the Russian attacks in the Donetsk region – it is just hell there. There is extremely fierce fighting going on there every day. But our units are defending bravely, withstanding the terrible pressure of the occupying forces, maintaining our defensive lines. This is very important.
“Due to the strong defenses there, in the Donetsk region, we can conduct offensive operations in other directions. Thank you to all our soldiers who are defending Ukraine in these particularly tough battles.
“Today we all feel in high spirits together. I don’t know if there is anyone here who hasn’t watched the video of our residents of Kherson greeting Ukrainians. Months of Russian occupation, months of mockery of our people, months of stories that Russia is supposedly here forever. And there is still a sea of Ukrainian flags in the streets.
“People didn’t even think about abandoning Ukraine. And the world sees it now. It sees what it means when Ukrainians meet their own. It sees what unity of Ukrainians means. And they see why we must liberate our entire country from the occupiers.
“It will be the same in Henichesk and Melitopol. We will come to all our cities and villages in Donbass. We will definitely see Ukrainian forces confronting Crimea with Ukrainian flags kept there, which will be in the streets by the hundreds on Liberation Day.’