Since the new citizenship law came into force in 2023, more than 4,500 people have lost their acquired Russian citizenship. State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin cited these figures from the Ministry of Internal Affairs as of May 2026.
Around 40% of these decisions were made in 2026 alone.
Why Was Citizenship Revoked?
More than 3,000 cases were related to criminal convictions that had entered into force.
In addition:
- more than 400 people lost their acquired citizenship for failing to register for military service;
- around 300 lost their citizenship after it was established that they had committed acts posing a threat to Russia’s security.
It is important to understand that these rules apply specifically to acquired Russian citizenship — citizenship granted to a foreign citizen through the naturalization process, rather than citizenship acquired by birth.
The List of Grounds Has Expanded
On August 11, 2025, the list of grounds for terminating acquired citizenship was expanded. It now includes more than 80 grounds related to:
- criminal offenses;
- threats to national security;
- extremist and terrorist activities;
- migration law violations.
Therefore, obtaining a Russian passport does not mean that acquired citizenship cannot later be terminated in cases provided for by law.
What Is Important After Obtaining Citizenship?
The main thing is to continue complying with Russian law and fulfilling the obligations that apply to Russian citizens.
For example:
1. If you are required to register for military service, it is important to do so in accordance with the established procedure.
2. You should also avoid using intermediaries who offer fake documents, fraudulent registration, or other ways to “bypass” legal requirements. Organizing illegal migration is one of the grounds that may lead to the termination of acquired citizenship.
Obtaining citizenship is an important milestone. However, after receiving a Russian passport, you must also be aware of and comply with the obligations established by law.
