The Russian government is devising an ambitious plan to resettle approximately 114,000 citizens to occupied Ukrainian territories, targeting regions such as Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson by 2045, as reported by the pro-Kremlin publication Vedomosti. This plan outlines an extensive development initiative which includes the construction of over 13 million square meters of housing and various public amenities, including more than 140 kindergartens, as part of an effort to boost the population in those areas.

As of late 2025, it is estimated that Russian forces still occupy around 116,000 square kilometers of Ukrainian land. These areas have suffered severe destruction due to Russian military tactics, including scorched-earth strategies that have decimated homes and essential infrastructure. Many of the affected territories are in ruins, lacking basic utilities such as electricity and running water, which raises serious questions about the viability of the proposed resettlement and the living conditions for any new inhabitants.

While the Russian government portrays this initiative as a means to revitalize the occupied regions and encourage growth, it marks a significant shift in demographic and political strategy aiming to solidify control over these territories. The plans have sparked international concern regarding the implications for Ukrainian sovereignty and the human rights of displaced individuals, drawing attention to the ongoing conflict and the humanitarian crisis in the region.