Donetsk, Apr 26 – DAN. Emil Fistal, head of the Institute of Urgent and Recovery Surgery and a doctor known across the world, is going to apply for Russian citizenship.

"I am going to receive Russian ID, of course, I will be one of the first to obtain it, at least in our Institute," he told Donetsk News Agency.

F

istal said the decision to provide Russian citizenship to residents of Donbass is very important in terms of the rights protection in the context of the economic blockade imposed by Ukraine and its armed aggression. Russian IDs will make Donbass integration more effective.

"It is a step towards peace in Donbass," he said.

Russian president Vladimir Putin on Wednesday signed a decree to allow residents of the Donbass region to obtain Russian citizenship under a simplified procedure.

On March 29, Russian law allowing the President to define categories of foreigners eligible for a simplified procedure came into force. The document also opens wider opportunities for participants of the voluntary compatriot resettlement program. *ot