Moscow has revealed a controversial plan to send almost 114,000 Russian citizens to the occupied territories of Ukraine, including Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, by the year 2045. Reports from the newspaper 'Vedomosti' highlight that Russian authorities have developed 15 general plans and a number of territorial planning projects aimed at increasing the population in these areas by 67,100 and 46,700 respectively. This significant demographic shift forms part of a broader strategy to consolidate control over these regions under Russian governance.

Additionally, the proposals include extensive infrastructure development. The plans involve the construction of over 13 million square meters of housing, as well as the establishment of 140 kindergartens, several dozen schools, and around 100 healthcare facilities. The infrastructure investments are also significant, with the intention to build or restore approximately 3,270 kilometers of roads, almost 430 kilometers of railways, and the reconstruction of four airports, among other facilities. Such developments signify a long-term investment in the Russian occupation of Ukraine, aimed not only at altering the demographics but also at enhancing the living conditions in these areas for the incoming settlers.

The implications of this plan are profound, as it suggests a formalization of Russia's claims to these territories, potentially changing the demographic and cultural landscape of the occupied regions. The initiative raises concerns about the international community's response to Russia's attempts to assert control through population movements and infrastructure development. It may also exacerbate tensions with Ukraine and the West, further complicating an already fraught situation in the region, as these actions could be interpreted as a violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.