Russian FSB Proposes Removing Administrative Border Controls in Annexed Ukrainian Territories

Proposal to Modify Border Status

The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has introduced a regulatory proposal aimed at restructuring border controls between the Russian Federation and the four Ukrainian territories it claimed to annex in 2022: Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia. The draft regulation seeks to abolish the status of 'state borders' at the administrative lines separating these territories from the rest of Russia.

Integration and Administrative Shifts

According to the documentation provided by the FSB, the proposal is designed to streamline movement and logistics as part of the ongoing integration of these regions into the Russian legal and economic framework. Key aspects of the proposal include:

• The removal of formal border crossing points and customs controls between the regions and the Russian mainland.
• The transition of security responsibilities to internal administrative protocols.
• The alignment of regional infrastructure with federal standards.

The FSB stated that this measure is a logical step following the formal incorporation of these territories into the Russian Federation, which the Kremlin declared in September 2022.

Context and International Stance

The international community, including the United Nations and the majority of its member states, continues to recognize the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions as sovereign territory of Ukraine. The annexation remains widely condemned as a violation of international law and the UN Charter. Despite this, the Russian government has proceeded with efforts to consolidate its control over these areas, treating them as federal subjects of the Russian Federation.

Next Steps

The proposal is currently undergoing a period of public review and inter-agency coordination. If approved, the change would effectively end the requirement for border inspections for goods and individuals traveling between these occupied territories and other Russian regions, marking a significant shift in the operational control of the front-line areas.