In accordance with Article 13, former Soviet citizens among permanent residents on February 6, 1992 of the RSFSR were recognized as RSFSR citizens. Those who expressed their will not to become RSFSR citizens until February 6, 1993 were not recognized as RSFSR citizens. Supreme Council decree N 5206/1-1 recognized the following as Russian citizens:
those who left the RSFSR before February 6, 1992 for study, work, treatment, or personal reasons and returned after February 6, 1992military personnel of RSFSR abroadFormer Soviet citizens who were born on December 30, 1922 or later on Russian territory or to a Soviet citizen who was a permanent resident of the RSFSR at the birth of his or her were recognized as if they had been RSFSR citizens by birth (see Case of Smirnov).
Russian passports are a visible feature of Russian citizenshipRussian citizenship could be acquired:
by birthby registrationby naturalizationby restoration of citizenshipby optby following parents' citizenship