The Russian government has announced an ambitious plan to relocate nearly 114,000 Russians to the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine by the year 2045. This initiative is part of a broader strategy aimed at increasing the population and developing infrastructure in regions such as Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson.
In collaboration with the State Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs and the Unified Institute of Spatial Planning, Russian authorities have devised 15 master plans intended to boost the population by approximately 67,100 people. Additionally, there are 10 territorial planning projects projected to accommodate another 46,700 individuals.
The proposed developments include the construction of over 13 million square meters of new housing, more than 140 kindergartens, dozens of schools, and around 100 outpatient clinics and polyclinics. Such extensive infrastructure projects aim to create a more permanent presence in these regions.
Furthermore, the plans outline the reconstruction and development of over 3,270 kilometers of roads, nearly 430 kilometers of railway lines, and the establishment of 19 marine yacht marinas and docks. Four airfields are also slated for renovation.
In addition to residential and educational facilities, the Russian government intends to establish 25 industrial parks, eight machinery manufacturing enterprises, 15 construction materials factories, and six mining operations. The implementation of these projects is expected to require the involvement of around 225,400 workers.
Tourism development is another key aspect of this initiative, with plans to attract up to 9.4 million tourists to the occupied areas by 2044.
Since the beginning of 2026, Ukraine has engaged in several rounds of negotiations with Russia, primarily focused on the control of unoccupied territories in the Donbas region. Reports from Bloomberg indicate that Russia is willing to sign a draft memorandum for peace, contingent upon Ukraine’s agreement to withdraw its forces from the entirety of the Donetsk region.
Russia's plan to resettle a significant number of its citizens in occupied Ukrainian territories by 2045 includes extensive infrastructure and tourism development. This initiative reflects ongoing tensions and negotiations between Ukraine and Russia regarding territorial control.