Russia realizes it could lose Donetsk Oblast by end of 2022, expert says
A room in the "administration" in Donetsk after shelling, October 16 (Photo:REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko)
By now, Russia understands it may lose occupied areas of Donetsk Oblast to Ukrainian advances by the end of the year, Editor-in-Chief at Ukrainian news outlet Ostriv, Serhiy Garmash, said in an interview with NV Radio on Oct. 20.
“I think that people there are being taught not to get used to Russian presence, as they hear a lot of promises, but little actual Russian money or social benefits,” Garmash said.
“Moscow benefits from the narrative about the ‘Donetsk People’s Republic,’ so that it doesn’t create a bad image for Russia proper. It seems that while the territories have been (illegally) annexed, the transition period will last until 2026.”
He explained this by suggesting that Moscow "understands it may lose this territory before the end of this year – that’s the reason for this ambiguous policy."
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