Russians abroad are losing access to passport renewals and other consular services. Belarusians know what comes next.

In the summer of 2026, Russian authorities imposed a ban on consular services for Russians abroad who have been convicted in absentia or have administrative fines for "discrediting the army," failing to label themselves as a "foreign agent," or working with an "undesirable organization." This law has been dubbed the "law on stripping citizenship."

Belarusian citizens who have left the country have faced a similar situation since 2023 when Alexander Lukashenko banned them from obtaining passports at embassies and consulates.

Sergei, a 38-year-old Russian national living in Poland, left Minsk in 2021 to start a business in Europe after the war began. He had to switch from manufacturing electric scooters and bicycles to importing household goods due to different laws. His passport expired at the end of 2023, and he fears returning to Belarus due to the risks of being pulled off buses and detained.

Sergei's residence permit and the simplified process for obtaining the "podróży document" have made life easier, allowing him to travel and rent an apartment. He expressed gratitude to the Belarusian opposition in exile for enabling the simplified passport acquisition process. Sergei would like to see the same treatment for Russians and faster processing of residence permits, as the current waiting period is three years.

Dmitry, a 46-year-old Russian living in France, left Belarus in 2021, partly due to political reasons. He initially lived alone in France and later brought his wife. His Belarusian passport expired in April 2025, and he fears returning due to the risk of detention over his correspondence. Dmitry has been running a tattoo studio in France and recently returned to this profession.

He has a 10-year residence permit, which he finds sufficient for now. He is unsure about his future in Belarus, expressing a lack of belief in the country's potential for improvement.