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European foreign ministers approved the creation of a special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine during a meeting in Lviv on May 9. The tribunal, which will operate under the auspices of the Council of Europe, aims to prosecute Russia's top political and military leadership, including President Vladimir Putin. Ukraine expects the tribunal to start work in 2026. The Kyiv Independent’s Kateryna Hodunova spoke with Dutch Justice Minister David van Weel about the future tribunal and its role in bringing justice for Ukraine.

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Putin threatens to strip passports from people who acquired Russian citizenship

1 min read

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Nov. 13 proposed amendments to a bill that would enable Moscow to strip passports from non-birth citizens who acquired Russian citizenship if they criticized the war in Ukraine.

The changes apparently target Ukrainians who obtained Russian passports during Moscow’s occupation. Many Ukrainians were either forced or had no choice but to switch their nationality due to threats posed by Russian troops.

The amendments were proposed to the bill that has only been passed in the first reading so far.

Among the actions Putin claimed constituted “crimes” were “spreading fakes” about the war or “discrediting the Russian army,” Russian independent media outlet Meduza reported, citing a Kremlin-run news agency.

“Participation in the activities of an undesirable organization” was also added to the list of what Putin considers “crimes” that would enable Moscow to strip passports upon “violation.”

The bill amendment comes two days after Russia suffered one of its most humiliating battlefield losses following Ukraine's recapture of Kherson on Nov. 11. The southern city is the sole regional capital that Russia managed to capture since the February invasion despite its staggeringly high casualty rate.

Since launching a full-scale invasion, the Kremlin has tightened how domestic media can report on its war in Ukraine in order to ban content it deems unfavorable.

How Russia's humiliating defeat in Kherson came to be
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The Kyiv Independent news desk

We are the news team of the Kyiv Independent. We are here to make sure our readers get quick, essential updates about the events in Ukraine. Feel free to contact us via email with feedback and news alerts.

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