Vladimir Putin signed an executive order officially recognizing identification documents from the two self-proclaimed republics on Feb. 18.
Individuals can now use the documents to cross the Russian border.
The Russian Federation will also recognize locally-issued education documents, certificates recording births, deaths, marriages, and divorces, and automobile registrations.
Putin said that the move would “protect human rights and freedoms” and adding that order was designed as a temporary measure until the conflict in eastern Ukraine was resolved.