With the beginning of the second phase of the Russian-Ukrainian war in 2022, the occupation authorities, through their fake administrations, began to actively implement a policy of destructive influence in the temporarily occupied territories.
Such measures are aimed at changing national identity, destroying Ukrainian culture, language and historical memory, and at the economic and social exhaustion of the regions.
The first and, at the same time, the most important task for the invaders is the destruction of Ukrainian identity and culture. So-called “cultural” influence is one of the main directions of destructive policy.
The Russian occupation authorities are introducing forced Russification, banning the Ukrainian language in educational institutions and replacing it with Russian. Measures are being taken to eliminate Ukrainian cultural institutions, including libraries, museums, cultural centers, and rewrite textbooks that distort or interpret the history of Ukraine in a manner favorable to the enemy.
At the second stage, the enemy resorts to repression and intimidation of the local population. First and foremost, the Russian invaders use methods of intimidation and repression against the local population that supports Ukraine and helps the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
Activists, volunteers, representatives of local authorities and people who express disagreement with the occupation regime are being arrested on a massive scale. For any manifestation of Ukrainian patriotism, such as the use of national symbols or participation in pro-Ukrainian rallies, citizens may be subjected to arrest, pressure, and physical violence.
At the third stage, the enemy focuses on spreading propaganda and conducting information campaigns. The Russian occupation authorities are actively waging an information war in the temporarily occupied territories. Using controlled media outlets and creating new ones, the Kremlin spreads propaganda that distorts the real picture of events, imposes pro-Russian narratives, and demonizes the Ukrainian government and Western countries. In addition, Ukrainian information resources are being blocked, making it much more difficult for the population to access objective information from official sources.
At the fourth stage, the enemy takes measures to deplete the economy. The Russian occupation authorities systematically destroy the economic potential of the occupied regions, leading to their complete exhaustion.
The export of industrial equipment, raw materials and other resources to Russia, the destruction of infrastructure and the deprivation of business opportunities lead to the decline of the local economy. As a result, unemployment, poverty and social tensions are growing, and hence the dependence of the local population on the occupation administration.
In the final cycle, the invaders carry out forced resettlement to ensure demographic policy. In other words, the Russian occupation authorities force residents of the occupied territories to move to Russia and replace them with Russians. This contributes to demographic changes aimed at changing the ethnic composition of the region and strengthening control over it.
In conclusion, Russia’s seizure of Ukrainian territories is accompanied by large-scale destructive measures aimed at destroying Ukrainian national identity, depleting the economic and social potential of the regions, and imposing pro-Russian narratives and identity.
These actions are a violation of international law and are aimed not so much at a temporary as at a long-term retention of control over the occupied territories, jeopardizing their future as part of an independent Ukraine.
You can stop the policy of the Russian invaders and their collaborators by publicizing their crimes and demanding their international prosecution. You can also participate in rallies in support of Ukraine or donate to the Ukraine’s Armed Forces.
