Topline
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday signed legislation finalizing Moscow’s illegal annexation of four Ukrainian regions, pushing forward despite not controlling any of the four provinces and its troops retreating in the face of major military losses as Kyiv’s forces advance rapidly to retake occupied land.
Russian President Vladimir Putin illegally annexed four Ukrainian regions.
Key Facts
Putin signed legislation formally incorporating Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia into Russia, which represent around 15% of Ukraine’s territory.
The Russian president’s approval is the final step in the annexation process, a move that is illegal under international law and has been widely denounced by Kyiv and Western leaders.
Putin appointed the Russian-imposed leaders of the annexed regions to continue on in their roles until new heads are elected.
Moscow does not completely control any of the four territories it claims and it is not clear precisely where the Kremlin believes Russia’s new international borders lie, something officials admitted is a work in progress.
Putin’s annexation efforts have continued despite the major advances into occupied territory by Ukrainian troops, who reportedly brought Russian forces in southern Ukraine to the brink of collapse late Tuesday and forced a hasty retreat.
The move compounds Russia’s significant territorial and military losses in recent weeks and raises further questions over how Moscow plans to defend its claimed territory.
News Peg
Putin’s approval follows votes in both houses of Russia’s parliament on Monday and Tuesday that unanimously approved the annexation plans. The Kremlin insists the four regions backed joining Russia following a series of referendums held last week, which were widely denounced as an illegitimate “sham” by Kyiv and Western leaders. Antonio Guterres, who leads the United Nations, has condemned the annexation effort as a flagrant violation of international law.
What To Watch For
Putin announced the “partial mobilization” of Russian forces to shore up the invasion and replenish troops, triggering angry protests across the country and a rush of people fleeing to neighboring countries or injuring themselves to avoid conscription. Putin also said Moscow would defend its territory using all weapons in its arsenal, including with nuclear weapons. Analysts fear the mounting pressures on the Russian leader make the use of tactical nuclear weapons more likely, though there are not yet signs Moscow is preparing a nuclear strike.
What We Don’t Know
The retreat of Russian forces in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region has been classified as a rout by Kyiv and as an orderly and tactical retreat by Russian-allied forces. It is not apparent which interpretation is more accurate and the nature will be important for future developments in the region.
Further Reading
Here’s What Would Happen If Putin Ordered A Nuclear Strike In Ukraine (Forbes)
‘Putin Is a Fool’: Intercepted Calls Reveal Russian Army in Disarray (NYT)
Putin faces limits of his military power as Ukraine recaptures land (Washington Post)
Russia Is Sending Its Ethnic Minorities to the Meat Grinder (Foreign Policy)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2022/10/05/putin-finalizes-annexation-as-ukraine-forces-russia-into-retreat-on-southern-front-line/