On Tuesday, May 24, two high-level Russian officials, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu and National Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev said the war in Ukraine was likely to last. As the conflict entered its fourth month, these two close associates of Vladimir Putin, considered hawks of the regime, asserted that Russia had no eye on its planning and would achieve its objectives, whatever the necessary time.
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While the fighting continues in the Donbass, Russia advances barely masked in the territories of southern Ukraine, which it has already conquered. Thus, Moscow is seriously considering attaching the regions of Kherson and Zaporizhia to Russia, as it did for Crimea in 2014.
Already, on May 18, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khousnullin visited Kherson and Zaporizhya. The political leader was very clear: these regions of southern Ukraine, bordering Crimea, are destined to become Russian. “We will apply all the support measures we have in Russia thanks to the Ministry of Agriculture”he launched to local farmers, thus promising them aid. “We will contribute to the development of the economy as much as possible.” inviting everyone “to cooperate” and ensuring that he “don’t be afraid of anything”he asserted that “Kherson has great prospects and a special place in the Russian family.” “We will live and work together in the future.”
To establish its influence in these two regions, Russia is proceeding as it did in Crimea: by promising a shower of roubles. The Russian currency is also in the process of becoming the official currency. In addition to subsidies, Moscow will soon pay pensions for the elderly. The Russian government has also pledged to rebuild the roads, especially those leading to Russia. Nevertheless, for the moment, there is no question of organizing a referendum on the attachment of the two regions to Russia, as was done in Crimea. And for good reason: the governor of Kherson, appointed by the Russians, recently explained that there was no need for it.