The head of the occupation administration of the so-called “DPR”, Denis Pushilin, stated the necessity of creating a buffer zone in the Dnipropetrovsk region. In his opinion, this should open the way for Russian troops for further offensives and the “liberation” of the Zaporizhzhia region.
This is reported by Finway
Russia’s plans for expanding the occupation
In a comment to Russian media, Pushilin explained that the formation of a buffer zone in the Dnipropetrovsk region is allegedly needed to “ensure the security” of the unrecognized “Donetsk People’s Republic”. He insists that this will also facilitate the occupation of the Zaporizhzhia region.
“The necessity of expanding the buffer zone (in the Dnipropetrovsk region – ed.) is dictated by the need to ensure security for the Velikonovosilkivskyi district of the ‘DPR’ and, of course, the liberation of the Zaporizhzhia region,” Pushilin stated.
According to the occupation official, the Ukrainian military is allegedly actively responding to the potential threat of expanding the buffer zone. He claims that Ukraine is redeploying significant units to the junction of the Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
Statements from Russian officials and Ukraine’s response
Pushilin also mentioned that in certain directions where the Armed Forces of Ukraine are attempting counterattacks, the Russian army is facing serious resistance, particularly at the border of the “DPR” and the Zaporizhzhia region in the Dnipropetrovsk region. He emphasized that the Ukrainian side is concentrating significant forces there due to the threat of further Russian offensives.
The idea of creating a buffer zone on Ukrainian territory has been voiced by Russian representatives before. On April 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the gradual formation of a so-called “security zone” in adjacent territories, promising to continue these actions until the complete “removal of threats” to the border regions of the Russian Federation.
In response to such statements, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized on April 10 that Russia intends to organize a buffer zone not only in the southeast but also near the border with Belarus.