KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Kyiv, Ukraine On Sunday, a top Ukrainian official outlined a number of steps the Kyiv government would take after regaining control of Crimea, including removing the crucial bridge that connects the annexed Black Sea peninsula to Russia.
The plan was announced by Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, as the Ukrainian military prepares for a spring offensive in the hopes of gaining new, decisive advances after more than 13 months of conflict to halt Russia's full-scale invasion.
In 2014, Moscow annexed Crimea from Ukraine, although the majority of the world does not recognize it as Russian territory. The future status of the peninsula will be an important factor in any negotiations to end the ongoing hostilities.
Ukraine has been ordered by the Kremlin to recognize Russia.
Danilov proposed punishing Ukrainians who worked for the Moscow-appointed administration in Crimea, saying some would face criminal charges while others would forfeit government pensions and be barred from holding public office.
Danilov stated on Facebook that all Russian people who relocated to Crimea after 2014 should be removed, and all real estate deals done under Russian administration should be invalidated.
He also proposed demolishing a 19-kilometer (12-mile) bridge built by Russia to connect Crimea to Russia.
A top Ukrainian official has outlined a series of steps the government in Kyiv would take after the country reclaims control of Crimea from Russia. Moscow annexed Crimea in 2014, but most of the world does not recognize it as Russian territory. https://t.co/3tr3wpkai5
— The Associated Press (@AP) April 2, 2023
A truck bomb damaged the bridge, Europe's longest and a symbol of Moscow's control of the peninsula, in October.Ukrainian official offers plan for a Crimea without Russia, suggests renaming Sevastopol 'Object Number 6' https://t.co/dLSj9grBLv
— ABC News (@abcnews) April 2, 2023
Moscow has repaired the damaged part of the bridge and restored the flow of supplies to Crimea, which has served as a crucial military base for Russia.
Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Moscow-appointed governor of Sevastopol, dismissed Danilov's plan as "sick."
"It would be wrong to take sick people's views seriously." "They must be treated, and that is exactly what our military is doing right now," Razvozhayev told the Russian state news outlet Tass.
Ukrainian official offers plan for a Crimea without Russia https://t.co/KWZUwEVf3F pic.twitter.com/k15ZShuc8d
— The Hill (@thehill) April 2, 2023
Danilov's plan was published as Ukrainian troops prepared to employ newly provided Western weapons, including dozens of combat tanks, to breach Russian lines and recover occupied territory in a counteroffensive planned as early as this month.
Russian troops are attempting to take Bakhmut, a vital Ukrainian bastion, as part of their plans to seize the entire Donetsk region, which is part of Ukraine's eastern industrial heartland of the Donbas. Bakhmut's 8-month campaign is the longest and probably most expensive.
According to the Ukrainian military, Russia's recent missile and artillery attacks have killed four people and injured 15 more since Saturday. Two individuals were killed in the northern Sumy district early Sunday when a milk truck was hit.
Later Sunday, Russian shelling killed six more civilians in Kostiantynivka, a tiny city in Donetsk province, according to Ukrainian authorities. According to officials, the Russian barrage also damaged multiple residential buildings and injured eight people.
The Moscow-installed local administration in Russia-occupied Melitopol reported on Sunday that a Ukrainian rocket bombardment hit a locomotive depot and damaged an apartment complex in the southern city, injuring six residents.
Ukrainian officials also refused to accept direct responsibility for the strike. But, the city's newly appointed mayor, Ivan Fedorov, alluded to the explosions with joy.
According to the Ukrainian military, Russia's recent missile and artillery attacks have killed four people and injured 15 more since Saturday. Two individuals were killed in the northern Sumy district early Sunday when a milk truck was hit.
Later Sunday, Russian shelling killed six more civilians in Kostiantynivka, a tiny city in Donetsk province, according to Ukrainian authorities.
According to officials, the Russian barrage also damaged multiple residential buildings and injured eight people.The Kremlin has demanded recognition of Russia’s sovereignty over Crimea and acknowledgement of other land gains during its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. https://t.co/sJScINE539
— WAFF 48 (@waff48) April 2, 2023
The Moscow-installed local administration in Russia-occupied Melitopol reported on Sunday that a Ukrainian rocket bombardment hit a locomotive depot and damaged an apartment complex in the southern city, injuring six residents.
Ukrainian officials also refused to accept direct responsibility for the strike. But, the city's newly appointed mayor, Ivan Fedorov, alluded to the explosions with joy.