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Transnistria sees surge in Russian citizenship applications amid new rules

A wave of younger Transnistrians—born after 1992—now seek Russian passports. Local officials confirm the trend is accelerating with easier paperwork.

The image shows a page from a book with handwriting on it, which is the birth and baptismal record...
The image shows a page from a book with handwriting on it, which is the birth and baptismal record of the Russian family. The paper is yellowed with age and the handwriting is neat and legible. The title of the book is written in bold black font at the top of the page, followed by the names of the family members and the date of birth.

Transnistria sees surge in Russian citizenship applications amid new rules

Tens of thousands of people in Transnistria are applying for Russian citizenship. The region, with a population of around 455,000, has seen a sharp rise in requests—even from those born after 1992. Officials confirm the trend as new rules make the process easier. Vioryka Kokhtaryova, head of the Union of Russian Communities of Transnistria, spoke to RIA Novosti about the surge. She noted that simplified procedures now let applicants handle paperwork locally, without needing to live in Russia permanently.

Around 220,000 residents of Transnistria already hold Russian passports. But demand continues to grow, with many younger residents—born after the region’s 1992 conflict—now seeking citizenship.

The new system removes previous barriers, allowing more people to apply without relocating. With over 220,000 already holding passports, the number of Russian citizens in Transnistria is set to increase further. Officials expect the trend to continue as interest spreads.

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