Russia is planning to attract tourists to occupied Ukrainian territories by developing them for habitation and infrastructure, which raises concerns about potential war crimes due to the destruction already inflicted in these areas.
Russia's development plans for occupied Ukrainian territories, referred to as 'new regions,' have been revealed by the Russian Development Bank and the Institute of Territorial Planning. They aim to relocate nearly 114,000 people to the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions by 2045, despite ongoing warfare and significant destruction. The regions in question comprise about 116,000 square kilometers of land that Russia considers its own, but which is still in a state of devastation due to the ongoing conflict.
These areas have been subjected to Russia's scorched earth tactics, with Russian forces systematically destroying buildings and essential infrastructure, leaving much of the territories in ruins. Many residents lack access to basic utilities like electricity and running water, which complicates the idea of inviting tourists or new inhabitants to these regions. This controversial strategy anticipates a comprehensive integration of these territories into the Russian economic system, which includes plans for extensive construction of residential buildings and educational institutions.
The implications of such development strategies are profound, as they raise questions about the legality and morality of occupying and repurposing war-torn regions for tourism and habitation. The assertion of these areas as part of Russia, amid the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, hints at a troubling normalization of war crimes and a potential disregard for international law in the name of development and economic gain.
