Expelling Ukrainians and bringing in Russians: what policy is the Kremlin pursuing in the Kherson region?

Russia is expelling Ukrainians from the occupied Kherson region and populating the region with its own citizens. According to rough estimates, only 10–20% of the pre-war population remains in the left-bank region. At the same time, the occupation authorities are attracting Russian teachers, doctors, and other workers, offering them significant payments and benefits.

This was reported by the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

Before the full-scale war, about 500 thousand people lived on the left-bank Kherson region. Now, according to the above estimates, the population has decreased to 10–20% of the pre-war level. Ukrainians are being forced to leave their homes, in particular by creating unbearable living conditions and illegally depriving them of housing and other private property.

Instead, Russia encourages its citizens to move to the occupied territories under the “Zemsky Teacher”, “Zemsky Paramedic”, “Zemsky Doctor”, “Zemsky Cultural Worker”, and “Zemsky Trainer” programs.

To attract specialists from Russia, one-time payments, increased salaries, and other benefits are provided. The minimum contract term is five years. Teachers and doctors are promised 2 million rubles each, and junior medical staff – 1 million rubles.

According to available information, hundreds of Russian teachers and doctors have already arrived in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine within the framework of these programs. They come from various regions of the Russian Federation – from the Krasnodar and Khabarovsk Territories to the Leningrad Region and Dagestan.

Russian doctors in the occupied territories are needed, in particular, to serve the Russian military. Teachers are recruited to work in educational institutions, where Russian curricula are implemented, which contributes to the displacement of Ukrainian identity among children.

The authors of the report emphasize that Russia’s policy in the occupied territories bears signs of war crimes and genocidal practices against the Ukrainian population.

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