The securitisation of citizenship in Russia’s 2023 regime
Development summary
Vanessa Ruget analyses how Russia’s 2023 citizenship law and several subsequent decrees instrumentalise citizenship. The framework reshapes naturalisation through a new civics test, revised oath-of-allegiance requirements, compulsory military registration and an emphasis on “traditional” values.
The article also considers passports for people who sign contracts with the armed forces and the 2023 expansion of offences triggering denaturalisation. Taken together, these measures securitise citizenship in order to promote loyalty to the regime, support military recruitment and constrain dissent by naturalised citizens.
Research note
Issue
The regulation of naturalisation requirements, securitisation of citizenship status, and denaturalisation under Russia’s 2023 citizenship regime
Why does it matter?
The article links naturalisation requirements and denaturalisation sanctions within a citizenship regime directed towards military mobilisation and loyalty to the regime. It therefore provides a concrete account of citizenship being regulated not only as a status-conferring institution but also as an instrument of security and political conformity.
Concepts
Academic details
“Russia’s Instrumentalization of Citizenship: A Study of the 2023 Citizenship Law”
Nationalities Papers · 2026
Show suggested citation
Vanessa Ruget, “Russia’s Instrumentalization of Citizenship: A Study of the 2023 Citizenship Law”, Nationalities Papers, 2026-08-19. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/nationalities-papers/article/russias-instrumentalization-of-citizenship-a-study-of-the-2023-citizenship-law/E9CBC50B6AD3B190A9D1F3AFFF181CAB