Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
Marking the third anniversary of the annexation of four Ukrainian regions, the Russian president admitted that things can’t be easy for the citizens living there.
He also called the seizing of Ukrainian territory a “righteous battle”.
What is happening?
Russian President Vladimir Putin marked the third anniversary of the annexation of four Ukrainian regions with a video address praising the country’s military campaign.
Calling it a “righteous battle,” he said the fight defends the decision of “millions of compatriots” in Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson who chose to align with Moscow.
“All of Russia is waging a righteous battle”
In his remarks, Putin underscored national unity, claiming that soldiers and commanders are “rising to the attack,” supported by the efforts of the entire country.
“Together, we defend our love for our homeland and the unity of our historical destiny,” he said, portraying the war effort as a shared moral and patriotic mission.
Occupied regions facing “difficult times”
Despite his defiant tone, Putin acknowledged the challenges faced by residents in the occupied territories.
He cited urgent problems such as access to clean water and quality healthcare, admitting that daily life remains hard for many people in these areas under Russian control.
Reconstruction campaign underway
Putin announced a sweeping reconstruction effort across the annexed regions.
Describing the initiative as a revival of “ancestral, historical Russian lands,” he said it includes building housing, schools, hospitals, energy infrastructure, and communication systems to restore war-damaged areas.
Promises to unlock “colossal potential”
The Russian president promised that his government would provide the “necessary conditions” for the development of the occupied regions.
He spoke of unlocking what he called their “colossal potential,” positioning the annexed territories as vital contributors to Russia’s future growth.
2022 referendums and annexation amid Ukraine’s counteroffensive
The annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson was declared on September 30, 2022, after hastily organized referendums, that drew widespread condemnation from the West.
The announcement came during a major Ukrainian counteroffensive, which had made gains in the Kharkiv and Kherson regions just weeks earlier.
Russia never gained full control
Despite the annexation, Russian forces have never fully controlled any of the four regions.
Today, they occupy about 88% of Donbas and 73% of the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts—roughly 20% of Ukraine’s total territory.
The rest remains contested or under Ukrainian control.
Putin’s proposal
Sources close to the Kremlin told Reuters that Putin had recently proposed a withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from unoccupied areas of Donbas in exchange for freezing the front lines in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.
He also suggested returning captured parts of other regions to Kyiv.
Zelenskyy insists on direct talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded that any discussion on territorial issues would only happen in direct talks with Putin.
However, the Russian leader dismissed the idea, saying he saw “no point” in such negotiations under the current conditions.
This article is made and published by Jens Asbjørn Bogen, which may have used AI in the preparation
