Analysts from the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have exposed Russia’s strategy for the occupied Ukrainian territories, which involves of ethnic cleansing and forced Russification. The policy aims to permanently separate these regions from Ukraine, altering their demographic composition, isolating Ukraine from the European community, and creating conditions in which the return of these territories becomes impossible.
This is reported by understandingwar.org
Carolina Gird, ISW researcher, notes Russia uses the tactics of forced depopulation and repopulation, which it has already tested out in Crimea and Donbas. She emphasizes that the international community must realize that the status of these lands remains unchanged according to international law.
In a report on Kremlin’s Occupation Scenario, Gird argues that Russia’s ultimate goal is to destroy Ukrainian identity, language, and culture. She criticizes “realistic” discussions about possible “concessions” on the part of Ukraine, stressing that they ignore the brutal reality of war.
The researcher also points to the historical precedent of such a policy in the actions of the Soviet government, which relocated ethnic minorities to strengthen control over territories. According to her, the dynamics of depopulation and repopulation are aimed at undermining Ukrainian claims to its own territory.
Amnesty International also condemned Russia’s actions in its report, pointing to the forced displacement of civilians, including children and people with disabilities, which could be considered war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The Kremlin also employs intimidation and violence to suppress dissent. The Kremlin justifies occupation of Ukraine by claiming that Ukraine is historically and culturally part of Russia, and that the Ukrainian people are simply confused Russians misled by Western propaganda.
The international community can take a number of steps to stop the Kremlin’s occupation of Ukraine, including by further providing military and financial aid to Ukraine, imposing sanctions on Russia, and supporting diplomatic efforts to end the war.
The consequences of the Kremlin’s occupation of Ukraine are the deaths of thousands of Ukrainians, the forced resettlement of millions, and the destruction of Ukrainian culture and identity.
It should be recalled that Putin claimed it was impossible to break the “unity” of the Russian Orthodox Church with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (MP).
