In south Ukraine, Moscow supporters snap up Russian passports
When Moscow-installed authorities in the southeastern Ukrainian city of Melitopol began distributing Russian passports, mother-of-two Olesya Novitskaya did not hesitate.
“I think we will all live in Russia, and I need a Russian passport,” the 31-year-old makeup artist said in central Melitopol, holding her youngest son in her arms.
She spoke to AFP during a closely supervised press tour organised by the Russian defence ministry.
Currently on maternity leave, Novitskaya had come to apply for a Russian passport with her two young sons.