Story thread · 2 reports / 2 sources

Russians abroad are losing access to passport renewals and other consular services.Belarusians know what comes next.

meduza.io · 5dShare

In the summer of 2026, Russian authorities banned Russians abroad who have been convicted in absentia from receiving any consular services. The ban applies to anyone convicted under any article of the Criminal Code, as well as anyone with an administrative fine for “discrediting the army,” failing to label themselves a “foreign agent,” or working with an “undesirable organization.” In effect, many will face an illusory choice: return to Russia and serve their sentence, or live in another country without a foreign passport, since it can no longer be renewed. Because of this, the law has already been dubbed the law on “stripping citizenship.” Belarusian citizens who have left the country have been in a similar situation for three years already. In 2023, Alexander Lukashenko banned them from obtaining passports at embassies and consulates. Meduza spoke with them about life without a passport.

First report: Sybiha: MFA prepares 70 mobile passport processing units for consular officers abroad — en.interfax.com.ua, 6d