MOSCOW, October 4 (RAPSI) – The Federation Council on Tuesday approved federal constitutional bills on the incorporation of the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics into the Russian Federation.

People living on the new Russian territories and those who previously lived there but left for Russia will acquire Russian citizenship.

Documents confirming education, marital status, employment history, right to pension, social and medical aid of residents of the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics will be recognized in Russia.

On Tuesday, the uppers house of Russian parliament also ratified treaties on the admission of new regions to the Russian Federation.

On September 30, President Vladimir Putin signed agreements on the incorporation of the four territories and the formation of new regions in the country.

“People have made their choice. An unequivocal choice. Today we are signing an agreement on the accession of four new subjects of the Russian Federation. Because this is the will of millions of people,” Putin said before signing the agreements.

The solemn signing ceremony took place in the St. George Hall of the Kremlin in the presence of the heads of the DPR, LPR, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions.

Referendums in the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, as well as in the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions were held from 23 to 27 September. An absolute majority of their residents voted for the accession of the territories to Russia.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, speaking about the referendums, reminded that Russia is guided by the opinion of people living in the respective territories, and they are the masters of their own destiny. Deputy head of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev said that the referendums should restore historical justice.