Vladimir Putin has once again declared the “complete liberation of Donbas and Novorossiya” to be the main objective of the Russian army. This statement is evidence of the Kremlin’s continuing imperial ambitions.
- Putin has described “Novorossiya” as the objective of a war that poses a threat to Ukraine.
- Russian troops are suffering heavy losses on the front line.
- Control over Kharkiv and Odesa remains of strategic importance to the Kremlin.
- Russian propaganda is trying to convince people that it is “defending the Donbas”.
The Kremlin’s ambitions: what does “Novorossiya” mean to Putin?
Vladimir Putin, speaking before an audience, he once again emphasised that the “complete liberation of the Donbas and Novorossiya” is the primary objective of Russian aggression. This statement leaves no room for doubt regarding the Kremlin’s intentions, which extend far beyond Ukraine’s eastern regions. By using the term “Novorossiya”, Putin is effectively announcing his plans for a significant portion of Ukrainian territory, including Kharkiv, Kherson and Odesa.
It should be noted that the term “Novorossiya” first appeared in the Kremlin’s rhetoric back in 2014, when Putin was attempting to justify his actions in eastern Ukraine. According to his account, “Novorossiya” comprises not only Donbas, as well as a significant part of southern Ukraine, including Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv and Odesa. These territories are strategically important for controlling access to the Black Sea.
The myth of “just the Donbas” has been debunked
Russian propaganda has attempted to convince the world that the aim of the military operations is merely to “protect the population of the Donbas”. However, the Kremlin’s actual actions suggest the opposite. Military analysts, notably the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), have repeatedly pointed out that the Kremlin has ambitious plans which have not changed since the start of the full-scale invasion. The occupation of the Donbas is merely an intermediate stage on the path to seizing Ukraine’s key industrial centres.
The reality on the front line
Despite the Putin’s statements, the situation on the front line highlights a significant gap between the Kremlin’s plans and their implementation. Russian troops are facing serious difficulties, suffering heavy losses in terms of personnel and equipment. As the President of Ukraine noted Volodymyr Zelenskyy, even the Donetsk region remains not entirely occupied. Ukrainian forces control key areas, notably the Kharkiv region, and have cut off the Russian navy’s access to Odesa.
Putin’s ultimatums are not a sign of strength, but an attempt to raise the stakes in a protracted war. They signal to Ukraine and its Western allies that compromise with the aggressor is impossible, as the Kremlin’s ambitions are limited only by the Ukrainian Defence Forces.
