ISW Analysts Identify Regions of Ukraine That Russia Intends to Occupy.

The Kremlin and President Vladimir Putin are showcasing their ambitions for territorial expansion in Ukraine, extending beyond the annexed Crimea and four regions. This is reported by 'Glavcom' citing a report from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Public Statements and Meetings

In particular, Putin held a meeting on June 30 regarding the socio-economic development of the occupied regions, where he used the terms 'Donbas' and 'Novorossiya'.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated: 'The history of Odessa is indeed linked to Russia.'

Putin's aide Vladimir Medinsky claimed: 'Russians and Ukrainians are one people with a common historical homeland.'

Experts' Analysis

'The statements by Putin, Peskov, and Medinsky indicate Russia's territorial ambitions. Putin emphasized at a forum on June 20 that the Russian and Ukrainian peoples are one nation and that Ukraine is Russian,' the report noted.

Expansion Over the Years

Experts point out that Medinsky's statements about ancient Rus' lands 'on both sides of the Dnipro' indicate Russia's goal to control the river and the regions. Deputy Head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office Pavlo Palisa warned of Russia's intentions to occupy all of Eastern Ukraine and seize the Odessa region by 2026.

ISW experts emphasize that the constant demands of Russian officials show that the Kremlin aims to destroy and subjugate Ukraine and its people.

The war is entering its 1224th day.

Ukraine is defending its territorial integrity, while Russia continues its ambition to occupy and expand its influence in Ukraine.

The Russian Kremlin and President Putin are demonstrating ambitions for influence expansion in Ukraine beyond the occupied territories. Public statements and meetings indicate territorial ambitions raised by Ukrainian experts. Ukraine fights for its territorial integrity, while Russia continues to escalate the conflict and deepen its influence in the eastern regions of the country. The persistence of Russian officials to spread and maintain control manifests in their constant statements and actions aimed at subjugating Ukraine.