After being illegally imprisoned in Russia, Ukrainian citizens often find themselves without documents — their passports are confiscated or lost, and this becomes one of the reasons for keeping people in so-called ‘deportation centres’. Below we explain how to act in such a situation.
1. If you are still in the Russian Federation and do not have any documents
Officially, Ukrainian citizens must be released after their term of imprisonment has expired. However, they are often left in temporary detention centres for foreigners, citing a ‘lack of documents for return’. In this case, it is important to:
- Send at least copies of any old documents to the Russian Federation via relatives in Ukraine. These may include: passport, birth certificate, tax identification number.
- Relatives in Ukraine should contact the territorial division of the State Migration Service (SMS) with a statement about the loss of documents by their relative who is in the Russian Federation and provide all available copies of any old documents through relatives, lawyers, or volunteers.
- Relatives in Ukraine can contact the following institutions: the territorial division of the State Migration Service (SMS), the Centre for Administrative Services (CAS), the Passport Service (DP ‘Document’), as well as the authorities that issued the relevant documents with a corresponding request.
- Contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine with a request to assist in restoring documents, issuing an identity card for return to Ukraine, providing consular assistance, and, if necessary, providing legal services, etc. in a third country.
Ukraine does not have consular offices in the Russian Federation, so such issues are usually resolved through embassies in neighbouring countries (e.g. Georgia, Armenia).
2. If you have been released and are in a third country
If you have been released from the Russian Federation and deported to a third country, the easiest way is to:
- Contact the Ukrainian consulate in that country.
- If identity verification is possible (e.g. there are copies of documents or confirmation from relatives in Ukraine), the consulate will be able to:
- issue an identity card for return to Ukraine (temporary document),
- or (in some cases) issue a foreign passport.
The consulate sends requests to Ukrainian authorities to confirm citizenship. In this process, it is important that relatives in Ukraine are in contact with the State Migration Service or the consulate.
3. What to do after returning to Ukraine
After returning to Ukraine, a person who was illegally deprived of liberty as a result of armed aggression by the Russian Federation has the right to simplified and free processing of documents through the State Migration Service of Ukraine. The SMS issues the necessary documents, including ID cards and foreign passports, free of charge or with exemption from state fees. Released persons can contact any SMS department, Passport Service or Administrative Services Centre:
- Identity verification — cannot take more than 10 working days.
- Ukrainian passport — issued no later than 3 working days from the date of application.
- Foreign passport — issued within 10 working days.
- No administrative fees are charged if the application is submitted within one year of release.
What relatives in Ukraine should prepare:
- Copies of any documents belonging to the person. For example, a copy of their passport or birth certificate.
- An application to the territorial division of the State Migration Service to obtain information about the issuance of a passport to a specific person, namely a relative.
- Letters of appeal to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and, if necessary, human rights organisations. In applications to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, you can request assistance in restoring documents, obtaining an identity card for return to Ukraine, ensuring consular assistance, etc.
- If possible, contact details of a lawyer or human rights defenders who can act in a third country.
- Remember: the more information and copies of documents collected by relatives in Ukraine, the easier it will be for the consulate to verify and help with the return home.
If you or your loved ones need advice, please contact the Association of Relatives of Kremlin Political Prisoners — we will help with coordination and legal assistance.
This publication was prepared as part of the ‘Capable and Strong’ programme implemented by the Eastern Europe Foundation with the support of Switzerland.
Photo: Borys Zaitsev
