Ukrainians living under occupation have long faced pressure to assume Russian citizenship. But in March, Vladimir Putin turned things up a notch. In a decree aimed at boosting the Kremlin’s campaign to force Russian passports on Ukrainians in Russia and occupied territories, Putin demanded that residents obtain Russian passports, “leave” by September 10, or refuse and face the consequences. Both Ukrainian officials and human rights groups have condemned the decree as a violation of international law, warning that it opens the door for further war crimes. As experts told Meduza, Putin’s executive order simply presents a “false semblance of choice” while creating new pretexts for arrests and expulsions. Russia’s retaliation against Ukrainians who refuse to change their citizenship has been well documented, and those who want to “leave” occupied areas can’t necessarily do so safely. What’s more, even “deportation” is not a guarantee of being returned to Ukraine.