Russians are replacing the Ukrainians’ way of life with Russian television, passports, and education. Hundreds of Ukrainians who have refused assimilation have been detained by pro-Russian soldiers.
In captured parts of Ukraine, the citizens are struggling with lack of money and medicine. Russians are trying to win allegiance by providing “humanitarian aid.”
Ukrainians that desire normality are recommended to apply for a Russian passport. However, registering a motor vehicle or owning certain types of businesses are required to have a Russian passport.
“Kherson has returned to the 1990s when only vodka, beer and cigarettes were for sale,” said Ukrainian Andrei, who worked in a car dealership at Kherson before the war and moved to western Ukraine with his family.
Newborns and orphans are automatically registered as Russian citizens. Schools are within the grasps of the Russian government, as the curriculum has been modified to the Russian one. Now, the education aims to teach children about the world from Putin’s point of view.
A top priority for Russia is to get Ukrainians to watch Russian television. To do so, Russian state broadcasting employees were sent to Kherson to start new shows, and they distributed free set-up boxes that give access to Russian airwaves. Russians have also reduced access to YouTube and Ukrainian cellular services.
Ukrainian political positions in cities have been replaced by pro-Russian government members.
Eventually, the perceptions of some Ukrainian civilians were changing. The Russian government had succeeded in their plan to turn Ukrainians into supporters of the Kremlin.
In a New York Times interview with Ihor Kolykhaiev, the mayor of the city of Kherson since 2020, said, “I think that something is changing in relationships, probably in people’s habits.” He estimated 5-10 percent of Kherson citizens developed a pro-Russia mindset because of Russian propaganda.
“This is an irreversible process that will happen in the future,” he added. “And that’s what I’m really worried about. Then it will be almost impossible to restore it.”
It was later notified that Kolykhaiev had been abducted by pro-Russian forces.
In Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, government officials have stated forming a Russian citizen state in occupied areas would be illegal since it is irrelevant to land seizures. It would be unlikely for Kyiv to rebel as it has no more control of its country.
The abandonment from Kyiv has enabled Russia to successfully mold some Ukrainians into their loyal followers.
Sources:
Ukrainian refugees forced to escape to enemy soil in Russia | AP News
How the Kremlin Is Forcing Ukrainians to Adopt Russian Life – The New York Times (nytimes.com)
In captured parts of Ukraine, the citizens are struggling with lack of money and medicine. Russians are trying to win allegiance by providing “humanitarian aid.”
Ukrainians that desire normality are recommended to apply for a Russian passport. However, registering a motor vehicle or owning certain types of businesses are required to have a Russian passport.
“Kherson has returned to the 1990s when only vodka, beer and cigarettes were for sale,” said Ukrainian Andrei, who worked in a car dealership at Kherson before the war and moved to western Ukraine with his family.
Newborns and orphans are automatically registered as Russian citizens. Schools are within the grasps of the Russian government, as the curriculum has been modified to the Russian one. Now, the education aims to teach children about the world from Putin’s point of view.
A top priority for Russia is to get Ukrainians to watch Russian television. To do so, Russian state broadcasting employees were sent to Kherson to start new shows, and they distributed free set-up boxes that give access to Russian airwaves. Russians have also reduced access to YouTube and Ukrainian cellular services.
Ukrainian political positions in cities have been replaced by pro-Russian government members.
Eventually, the perceptions of some Ukrainian civilians were changing. The Russian government had succeeded in their plan to turn Ukrainians into supporters of the Kremlin.
In a New York Times interview with Ihor Kolykhaiev, the mayor of the city of Kherson since 2020, said, “I think that something is changing in relationships, probably in people’s habits.” He estimated 5-10 percent of Kherson citizens developed a pro-Russia mindset because of Russian propaganda.
“This is an irreversible process that will happen in the future,” he added. “And that’s what I’m really worried about. Then it will be almost impossible to restore it.”
It was later notified that Kolykhaiev had been abducted by pro-Russian forces.
In Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, government officials have stated forming a Russian citizen state in occupied areas would be illegal since it is irrelevant to land seizures. It would be unlikely for Kyiv to rebel as it has no more control of its country.
The abandonment from Kyiv has enabled Russia to successfully mold some Ukrainians into their loyal followers.
Sources:
Ukrainian refugees forced to escape to enemy soil in Russia | AP News
How the Kremlin Is Forcing Ukrainians to Adopt Russian Life – The New York Times (nytimes.com)
