Kremlin Plans Ethnic Cleansing and Deportation in Occupied Ukraine.

Conditions in Ukraine's Temporarily Occupied Territories

According to TSN.ua: Since February 2022, no repairs or infrastructure restoration have been carried out in the temporarily occupied parts of Ukraine. This neglect, combined with the systematic destruction of industry, ethnic cleansing, and property confiscation, has created a dire situation for local residents.

In 2024, nearly 12,000 foreign nationals and stateless individuals were registered for migration in the occupied Luhansk region. This shift in demographics threatens long-term consequences for the Ukrainian population. Many locals continue to refuse jobs with occupation authorities or flee the area entirely, according to the National Resistance Center.

Propaganda and Repression

In Melitopol, occupiers have opened a new propaganda center for youth, funded by the local budget. This reflects the Kremlin's strategy to shape young people's identities in opposition to Ukrainian national values. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chair of Russia's Security Council, has stated that Ukrainians in occupied areas who 'harm' Russia must be 'exposed and punished.'

This statement underscores the policy of repression being carried out on the ground. — Dmitry Medvedev

The first phase of occupation involved systematic filtration operations aimed at identifying 'untrustworthy' Ukrainians. The second phase includes mass deportation of Ukrainians to Russian territory, raising serious alarm among the local population. As one resident of Skadovsk described, Russians have turned the city into a 'concentration camp,' revealing the true scale of repression and control.

Experts like Dmytro Hromakov stress the importance of historical evidence proving these territories' affiliation with Ukraine, should any referendum on their status occur. The situation in the temporarily occupied regions remains critical, causing concern not only among locals but also within the international community.

Tensions continue to escalate in Ukraine's temporarily occupied territories, with rising risks for civilians due to repressive policies and coercive measures by occupation administrations. The need for an international response grows more urgent as human rights violations and demographic changes threaten long-term regional stability. As Ukrainians face new challenges, global support remains essential to protect their rights and restore Ukraine's territorial integrity.