Olesya Novitskaya did not hesitate for a moment when the occupation authorities in the southeastern Ukraine city of Melitopol, conquered by Moscow forces, began issuing Russian passports. “We expected this,” she said.

AFP spoke to this 31-year-old professional makeup artist during a press trip organized by the Russian Ministry of Defense to show the public how they are welcoming the invaders.

Journalists were not allowed to move freely in the city or talk to residents without a Russian military escort.

With her two children with her, Novitskaya lined up with about 20 people to request Russian documents.

“I think we’re all going to live in Russia, so I need a Russian passport. To be able to live here officially and normally,” he told AFP with a child in his arms.

The occupation authorities in the Zaporozhian region, where Melitopol is located, want to hold a referendum at the end of the year to formalize the annexation to Russia.

After a few weeks of waiting, Novitskaya is expected to receive her new documents at a ceremony where the Russian anthem will be played in front of Vladimir Putin’s portrait.

This distribution of passports, which is also seen in other occupied parts of Ukraine, is part of Moscow’s strategy to irrevocably settle in the region.

Other measures include the payment of salaries and pensions in rubles, Russian currency, the opening of train and bus lines connecting the peninsula of Crimea annexed in 2014, and the opening of Russian-speaking schools.

“Divided” Residents

Melitopol was taken by the Russians shortly after the offensive began on February 24. There was almost no war in the city, which prevented its destruction.

At that time, the Ukrainian army was defending the capital, Kiev, and the port city of Mariupol, which had been besieged and bombarded for weeks.

In July of this year, the Russian military presence is cautious but there are still road checks on some exits from the city. But Novitskaya does not care.

“To be honest, we expected this in 2014, when the Crimean peninsula was annexed, and armed conflict with pro-Russian separatists began in eastern Ukraine.

However, he admits that not all populations think like him.

“Today, the whole world is divided,” he said.

Some for Russia, others for Ukraine.

Also next is Damir Kadyrov, a 65-year-old retired person who believes it is “necessary” to obtain a Russian passport after arriving in Melitopol.

Repeating Moscow’s propaganda claiming to be fighting “fascists” and “Nazis” in Ukraine, he added, “The more we decide to end the fascists, the smoother things will be as they were in Soviet times.”

Judging by the numbers, however, this enthusiasm is far from shared by all residents of Melitopol, which had a population of about 150,000 before the Russian attack.

The head of the regional occupation administration, Yevgeny Balitsky, admits that only 20 to 30 passports a day are issued in that region, and “about 100” passports in the entire region.

The Russian security service said checks were delaying the process, saying that the pace was “not yet on target”. Added to this was a general climate of distrust.

Supporters of Ukraine fear Russian pressure. And those who favor Russia fear being seen as “traitors” or “collaborators” by Kyiv supporters.

In fact, some of those who queued to get passports chose to leave before the television cameras and the Russian military regiment arrived in front of the administrative building.

“We don’t talk among ourselves” about Russian passports, 58-year-old Galina Vladimirovna admits.

“It’s still taboo, everyone is afraid,” he added.