MOSCOW. Feb 20 (Interfax) - The self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) has denied a surge in migration to Russia after the latter recognized identification documents issued by the self-proclaimed Donbas republics.
"We have been constantly monitoring migration and two-way transborder traffic. By our estimates, the recognition of IDs has not triggered an increase in the number of persons crossing the border both ways. True, long lines sometimes form on the border, but this phenomenon is not new: some people had to stand in line for 24 hours before they could cross the border because of the large number of travelers. Things are much easier now," DPR human rights commissioner Darya Morozova told Interfax.
She denied a surge in the number of DPR passports issued following their legitimization by Russia.
"Same as before, passports are being issued in a normal course of events. We have not observed any spike in the issue of IDs," she said.
The Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) dismissed media reports alleging that the destinations of Donbas residents' travel to Russia had broadened after Russia had recognized their IDs.
"Russia is the only destination enabling our residents to stay in touch with the world amid the blockade by Ukraine. This concerns both business processes and humanitarian relations, and this is why we actually see lines form in this sector of the border from time to time. Nevertheless, travel of our citizens was not limited to the Rostov region in the previous period. Holders of LPR IDs could visit other regions as well," the office of the LPR ombudsman told Interfax.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday signed an order titled 'On recognition in the Russian Federation of documents and car registration plates issued to Ukrainian citizens and stateless persons permanently residing in the territories of certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine'.
The move pursues "the goal of protecting human and civil rights and freedoms, based on generally recognized principles and rules of international humanitarian law", the document said.