Russia has announced an extensive plan for the reconstruction and development of cities in temporarily occupied regions of Ukraine, according to reports from local media. The plans, which involve significant investment and infrastructure development, have been met with skepticism regarding their feasibility and intent.
Documents analyzed by Radio Free Europe indicate that the Russian state bank Vnesheconombank (VEB) and the Unified Institute of Territorial Planning have developed 15 master plans and 10 territorial planning projects for the occupied areas of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. However, the full details of these plans have not been publicly released, with only fragments available for review.
According to the reports, the Russian government aims to relocate approximately 114,000 Russian citizens to these occupied territories by 2045. Notably, the plans appear to overlook several cities that have suffered extensive damage from ongoing military conflict, such as Avdiivka, Bakhmut, Marinka, Vuhledar, Popasna, and Kurakhove. These locations are either excluded from the plans or mentioned without specific timelines for recovery.
The proposed initiatives include the construction of approximately 13 million square meters of housing, the reconstruction and development of over 3,270 kilometers of roads, and the expansion of the railway network by around 430 kilometers. Additionally, the plans outline the construction and modernization of 19 railway stations and the restoration of four airfields.
Petro Andriushchenko, an advisor in Mariupol, noted that the cities attracting the most Russian migrants are Mariupol and Luhansk, where housing is being constructed with favorable mortgage terms. He anticipates that the population of Mariupol could increase by 35,000 to 50,000 by 2027, driven by these housing projects.
The Russian authorities have also announced the establishment of industrial and agricultural clusters, which would include machinery, mining, and processing enterprises. However, experts have raised concerns about the practicality of these plans, suggesting they are largely declarative. Andriushchenko cited a failed railway project connecting Mariupol, Berdyansk, and Melitopol, which has been repeatedly announced since 2023 but remains unimplemented.
“This year, an investment project plan was announced for the city of Mariupol. I mean the mortgage construction; by 2027, Mariupol is expected to see an average increase of 35,000 to 50,000 new residents,” Andriushchenko stated.
The Center for National Resistance has indicated that such documents are often used as tools for information influence, aiming to project an image of recovery and development in the occupied territories. Furthermore, the projected relocation of 114,000 Russian citizens does not align with the actual demographic losses, with experts suggesting that much larger numbers would be required to offset the population decline.
In related developments, U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll mentioned that the United States is learning from Ukraine’s approach to warfare, emphasizing ongoing support for Ukraine since the conflict began. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reported ongoing military preparations in Belarus, raising concerns about potential further escalations in the conflict.
Russia has outlined ambitious reconstruction plans for occupied Ukrainian territories, focusing on infrastructure and housing. However, skepticism surrounds the feasibility of these initiatives, particularly given the ongoing conflict and demographic challenges in the region.
Source: Radio Free Europe