Russia recognized passports of Ukraine’s rebel areas

President Vladimir Putin signed an executive order on February 18 for Russia to recognize passports and other documents issued by rebel authorities in Ukraine’s east.

University diplomas, professional qualification certificates and driving licenses, birth certificates and other identification documents issued by “the de facto authorities on the territories of the Donetsk and Lugansk oblasts”, will be considered valid, allowing its holders a visa-free entry to Russia, until a political solution to the situation is achieved, according to the order.

Donetsk and Lugansk declared themselves independent republics in April 2014, after an escalation of armed conflict in Ukraine’s east. Not a single state – not even Russia – has recognized them as such.