Since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war in February of this month, the region has seen many transformations. Putin is determined to take over Ukraine and the western agendas to threaten him are getting more intense. If war is too strong a topic for you, an casino online can help you let loose.
In the month of September, a referendum was handled in the Kremlin-occupied regions of Kyiv. The stunt was pulled by Putin to legitimize his claim of the Luhansk, Donetsk and two other regions.
The Russians are claiming that the referendum was held and the people were given a choice, a claim upheld by Reuters. However, it led to massive protests in the region.
Most recently however, Ukraine got to take back its control of the Kherson region, which holds a great strategic importance in the war. Ukraine can now restrain Russia’s access to Black Sea Peninsula and attack Russia back from this region. Without the Kherson region, Russian further advance in the Ukrainian territories is going to be further slowed down.
Beginning of the War
Ukraine is one of the few European countries that have not joined NATO yet. When western efforts to add Ukraine in NATO were initiated, Moscow considered it to be a threat. Historically, NATO had been used as a tool by the USA to undermine the Soviet Union during the cold war. So when Ukraine, a country bordering Russia, was about to shake hands with NATO, Putin ordered Russian forces to annex the country.
Major Recent Developments:
Russian Efforts to Legitimize its Claim of the Four Annexed Regions
The future of the four regions including Donetsk, Luhansk, Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. According to the Russian view-point, a just and peaceful choice was given to the people to decide their own future. On the contrary, the opposers claim it to be another move by, what they say to be, the dictator of Russia.
The percentage of people in support of the annexation was more than 90% in all the regions, and as high as 99% in Donetsk. As per the western claims, these numbers can be seen throughout history whenever a dictator annexed any territory.
These regions are packed with Russian armed forces and the locals feel helpless. Some media channels declared it to be a fair voting including Reuters and Radio France Internationale, and they are facing a major backlash from the public.
Ukrainian Victory: Russian Retreat From Kherson Region
Since the war began about nine months ago, Kherson region had been the key strategic location for Russia in the war. It borders the Crimean Peninsula and provides the Kremlin access to the Black Sea as well.
Recently, the Russian soldiers retreated from the region. Pro-Russians declared it to be a wise move, claiming that a step-back was necessary. Putin announced that the Russian forces will strike back with an even greater force.
Ukrainian officials, on the other hand, are finally relieved and their confidence is sky-high. Strategically and economically, the value of this retrieved region is considered by a major break-through for the Ukrainian side.
Conclusion
Where Zelensky is bent on doing whatever it takes to save his country, Putin is committed to annexing the country. The Russian military has been accused of violating human rights in these regions. The initiation of the war, to expand the Russian territory, is itself an unjust and brutal act that led to the displacement of millions of people.
The west holds the equal blame for the war, they kept surrounding the Russian territory to prepare for any future Russian threats. If only NATO had taken the threats of Russia seriously and Ukraine had parted ways from joining the federation, Putin would not have had to take this aggressive step.
