Inside Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine, the Kremlin is forcing citizens to adopt the Russian way of life. Next are the sham elections and referendums that will formalize the Russian annexation.
Ukrainian passports, cell phone numbers, television, currency, and the internet have all been changed into Russian versions. Those who have resisted have been arrested.
The occupying authorities use fear and indoctrination to force Ukrainians to adopt the Russian way of life. Protests are immediately met with soldiers, and political and cultural leaders are being abducted and tortured.
Propaganda is also widespread, introduced via the new Russian television channels or other conventional means. Russian state broadcasting employees were deployed to Kherson to set up a new “news” show called Kherson and Zaporizhzhia 24. Set-top boxes were given away for free and even delivered to residents so they could see and hear the propaganda.
Newborns in the area are immediately registered as Russian, and the indoctrination set to begin in Russian schools in September is also being introduced to the schools in occupied Ukrainian regions. Blue-white-red billboards say “We are one people. We are with Russia.”
The next step in Mr. Putin’s 21st-century war strategy is holding “referendums” that will formalize the annexation.While these “referendums” are certain to be faked, this was the strategy Russia used to annex Crimea in 2014.
Russia-appointed authorities in Ukrainian towns are recruiting pro-Russia citizens and putting pressure on others to join their country. Cash and medicine shortages are pushing many poorer citizens to join Russia since they promise humanitarian aid. Those without a Russian passport are unable to register a car or business.
As Andrei, a former citizen in Kherson who moved to western Ukraine in July, says, “There’s no money in Kherson, there’s no work in Kherson. Kherson has returned to the 1990s when only vodka, beer, and cigarettes were for sale.”
“Election commissions” are already being set up by Russian and pro-Russian people, preparing for the “referendums” that will allow Russia to annex much of eastern Ukraine as they did with Crimea in 2014.
It seems Kherson and the other occupied regions are now stuck on a road leading only to annexation by Russia. After all, Russia is doing everything it can so Kherson will “return to its historical homeland.”
Original Article: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/30/world/europe/russia-occupation-ukraine-kherson.html
Supporting Articles:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60506682
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/16/world/europe/russia-putin-schools-propaganda-indoctrination.html
Ukrainian passports, cell phone numbers, television, currency, and the internet have all been changed into Russian versions. Those who have resisted have been arrested.
The occupying authorities use fear and indoctrination to force Ukrainians to adopt the Russian way of life. Protests are immediately met with soldiers, and political and cultural leaders are being abducted and tortured.
Propaganda is also widespread, introduced via the new Russian television channels or other conventional means. Russian state broadcasting employees were deployed to Kherson to set up a new “news” show called Kherson and Zaporizhzhia 24. Set-top boxes were given away for free and even delivered to residents so they could see and hear the propaganda.
Newborns in the area are immediately registered as Russian, and the indoctrination set to begin in Russian schools in September is also being introduced to the schools in occupied Ukrainian regions. Blue-white-red billboards say “We are one people. We are with Russia.”
The next step in Mr. Putin’s 21st-century war strategy is holding “referendums” that will formalize the annexation.While these “referendums” are certain to be faked, this was the strategy Russia used to annex Crimea in 2014.
Russia-appointed authorities in Ukrainian towns are recruiting pro-Russia citizens and putting pressure on others to join their country. Cash and medicine shortages are pushing many poorer citizens to join Russia since they promise humanitarian aid. Those without a Russian passport are unable to register a car or business.
As Andrei, a former citizen in Kherson who moved to western Ukraine in July, says, “There’s no money in Kherson, there’s no work in Kherson. Kherson has returned to the 1990s when only vodka, beer, and cigarettes were for sale.”
“Election commissions” are already being set up by Russian and pro-Russian people, preparing for the “referendums” that will allow Russia to annex much of eastern Ukraine as they did with Crimea in 2014.
It seems Kherson and the other occupied regions are now stuck on a road leading only to annexation by Russia. After all, Russia is doing everything it can so Kherson will “return to its historical homeland.”
Original Article: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/30/world/europe/russia-occupation-ukraine-kherson.html
Supporting Articles:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60506682
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/16/world/europe/russia-putin-schools-propaganda-indoctrination.html
