Freedom House: Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories among world's least free places
A new Freedom House report gives Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories just 1 point out of 100, ranking them among the least free places on earth, while Ukraine as a whole scored 51 and Russia scored 12.
Human rights organization Freedom House has scored Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine at just 1 point out of 100 in its latest assessment, classifying them as "not free." By comparison, Ukraine overall received 51 points, while Russia scored 12.
Forced passport issuance
The organization identified the forced imposition of Russian citizenship and passports on local residents as one of the main tools of occupation control. Those who refuse to accept Russian citizenship face restricted access to basic services, intimidation, property seizure, and even threats of deportation.
Restricted movement and Russification
The report notes that residents wishing to leave certain occupied districts must undergo so-called filtration procedures, involving interrogation and screening. It also documents extensive Russification policies in education: schools use only the Russian curriculum, children are taught a Russian version of history, while occupation authorities treat displays of Ukrainian identity or symbols as hostile acts.
Threat of losing property
People who refuse Russian citizenship or are unable to re-register their property risk losing it. Russian authorities apply legal provisions allowing real estate to be declared ownerless and transferred to other people — a particular risk for those who have already left the occupied territories.
Persecution over civic stance
The report also documents cases where people expressing pro-Ukrainian views face criminal or administrative liability, including journalists, activists, religious workers, and ordinary residents. Freedom House warns that the true scale of repression is difficult to determine, since independent monitoring in the occupied territories remains severely limited.
