[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Ukrainian intelligence authorities have strongly criticized Russia for attempting to divide Ukraine like South Korea and North Korea. It is reported that pro-Russian separatist forces in Donbas are preparing to join the Russian Federation through a referendum, raising concerns that Russia will soon attempt to separate all occupied territories from Ukraine.
On the 27th (local time), Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Ukrainian Military Intelligence Directorate, issued a statement strongly criticizing, "Since Russian President Vladimir Putin has failed to occupy all of Ukraine, he wants to create Russian-controlled areas and divide the country like South Korea and North Korea." He further warned, "Ukrainians will resist by waging guerrilla warfare in the areas occupied by Russia."
Prior to this statement, the Luhansk People's Republic (LPR), a pro-Russian rebel force in Donbas, announced that it would soon hold a referendum to join the Russian Federation. Leonid Pasechnik, head of the LPR, stated, "Soon, voters may be asked in a referendum whether they support exercising their constitutional right to become part of Russia."
Accordingly, there are concerns that procedures for joining the Russian Federation through referendums will proceed in various Russian-occupied areas. Russia previously used this method to consolidate effective control during the occupation of the Crimean Peninsula in 2014. In particular, the pro-Russian rebel-held areas in Donbas have a large Russian-speaking population, and since most Ukrainian residents have already fled, the referendum is expected to overwhelmingly favor Russia.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
