Putin ordered to strengthen Russian identity in the occupied part of Ukraine

Russian authorities plan to significantly strengthen the Russian language and national identity in the territories of Ukraine annexed by Moscow after the 2022 invasion, according to a strategic document signed by President Vladimir Putin and published as a presidential decree on Tuesday.

The document, titled Russia's National Policy Strategy to 2036, stipulates that at least 95 percent of the country's population should identify as Russian by the end of the period.

The Kremlin says the annexation of parts of the Donbas and southern Ukraine "has created conditions for the restoration of the unity of historic Russian territories." The new strategy therefore calls for "additional measures" to consolidate Russian civic identity, expand the use of the Russian language and curb efforts by "hostile states" to undermine social cohesion.

(reuters, est)