Citizenship during the war: The Foreign Ministry reveals how many “new” Ukrainians there are and who has been stripped of this right
27 March 19:38
exclusive
Nearly a thousand new citizens during a full-scale war—and only two dozen decisions to revoke citizenship. The state is opening its doors faster than it is closing them. Between 2024 and 2026, 995 citizenships were granted by presidential decrees, with the lion’s share coming in 2025. "Komersant Ukrainian" received official responses from the State Migration Service and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (MFA) and is publishing the full picture: figures, trends, direct quotes, and gaps in the statistics. Who is receiving a Ukrainian passport during the war, and how? Why doesn’t the state keep separate statistics on foreign military personnel? And why have there been only 20 decisions to revoke citizenship in over two years?
Nearly a thousand new citizens by presidential decree
According to the State Migration Service, between 2024 and 2026 (as of February 28, 2026), 995 foreigners and stateless persons were granted Ukrainian citizenship by presidential decree.
The service’s response states:
“Between 2024 and 2026 (as of February 28, 2026), 995 foreigners and stateless persons were granted Ukrainian citizenship by presidential decree, specifically:
– in the 12 months of 2024 – 60;
– in the 12 months of 2025 – 792;
– in January–February 2026 – 43.”
Thus, the largest increase occurred in 2025—792 people, which is more than 13 times the figure for 2024.
Did foreign military personnel receive citizenship?
In response to the question of exactly how many foreigners received citizenship for participating in the defense of Ukraine as part of the Defense Forces, the State Migration Service replied that no separate records are kept for such individuals:
“Statistical data on the acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship, in particular on naturalization by decree of the President of Ukraine, are collected and recorded by the State Migration Service without detailing the procedure for acquiring citizenship or the legal status of the applicant,” – State Migration Service of Ukraine
At the same time, the Service reminded of the current rules regarding the simplified procedure for foreign contract soldiers. The response explicitly states:
“Foreigners who, in accordance with the procedure established by Ukrainian law, are performing military service under contract in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the State Special Transport Service, or the National Guard of Ukraine… may be admitted to Ukrainian citizenship through a simplified procedure in accordance with Ukrainian citizenship legislation,” – State Migration Service of Ukraine
20 cases of termination of citizenship
The State Migration Service separately emphasized: in accordance with the Constitution, a citizen of Ukraine cannot be deprived of citizenship.
“According to Article 25 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a citizen of Ukraine cannot be deprived of citizenship or the right to change citizenship.”
At the same time, the law provides for a mechanism for the termination of citizenship. As the Service clarifies, the date of termination of Ukrainian citizenship in the cases provided for by this article is the date of issuance of the relevant Decree of the President of Ukraine.”
According to departmental statistics:
“According to the data from the State Migration Service’s statistical reports for the period from January 1, 2024, to February 28, 2026, Ukrainian citizenship was terminated for 20 individuals pursuant to decrees of the President of Ukraine, specifically under Article 19 of the Law:
– in the 12 months of 2024 – 10;
– during the 12 months of 2025 – 10;
– for January–February 2026 – 0.”
Renunciation of Citizenship Abroad
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine clarified that it exercises authority in the field of citizenship only with regard to persons who permanently reside abroad.
“In 2024, applications for renunciation of Ukrainian citizenship were approved for 14 individuals.”
At the same time, in 2025 and 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine did not receive any information from the Office of the President of Ukraine regarding decrees issued by the President of Ukraine on renunciation of Ukrainian citizenship.
Legislation is being adapted to wartime conditions
The State Migration Service emphasized that citizenship legislation is changing in response to the challenges of war:
“Ukraine’s citizenship legislation continues to evolve in response to the challenges of wartime.”
Among the goals of the changes are ensuring national security, mitigating the effects of the demographic crisis, and simplifying procedures for foreigners who are serving or have served in Ukrainian military units.
Over the course of two years of war, Ukraine has granted citizenship to nearly a thousand foreigners and stateless persons. At the same time, only 20 decisions to revoke citizenship by presidential decree have been officially recorded. The state currently does not maintain detailed statistics on foreign military personnel—at least not in terms of public reporting.
