SIMFEROPOL, May 11. /TASS/. The issuance of Russian passports to those residents of the Kherson Region who will express their willingness will begin by the end of 2022, Kirill Stremousov, a deputy head of the civil-military administration of the Kherson region, said on local television on Wednesday.

"The next step will be to offer issuing Russian passports to all those who want it. I think we will start issuing passports as early as this year," Stremousov said adding that it would not be mandatory for local residents to obtain Russian passports, but optional.

On February 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared the recognition of sovereignty of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics. On February 24, Putin announced a special military operation in response to a request for help by heads of the Donbass republics. Russia has taken control of some areas, in particular the Kherson Region. Peaceful life is gradually returning there.