A relevant decree is said to be signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Ukrainian-based Information Resistance (IR) OSINT group has said "leaders" of the self-proclaimed republics in Donbas – the "Donetsk People's Republic" ("DPR") and the "Luhansk People's Republic" ("LPR") – have announced that residents of Luhansk and Donetsk regions with the so-called "DPR and LPR passports" will be able to get Russian passports after Russian President Vladimir Putin signs a relevant decree.

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Such plans were reportedly announced at a meeting with the participation of Russian supervisors, which was held in the town of Pervomaisk, Luhansk region, on January 5, 2019, IR said.

At the same time, it was stated documents for registration of a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation should be collected at the place of residence, while Russian passports will be issued in the territory of the Russian Federation.

The move was presented as the fact that Russia had finally begun the process of legalizing the "unrecognized republics."