Signs of 'Rebellion' in Russian-Occupied Areas?... Increase in Assassination Attempts on Pro-Russian Figures in Ukraine

3 Attacks in 2 Weeks in Russian-Occupied Kherson, Ukraine
US: "Resistance Movements May Rapidly Spread"

A woman holding a sign that reads "Kherson is Ukraine" at a soccer stadium. The above photo is not related to the article content. Photo by EPA, Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Se-eun] Resistance movements appear set to intensify, with a series of assassination attempts targeting pro-Russian figures in Russian-occupied areas within Ukraine.

According to CNN on the 1st (local time), in Kherson Oblast in southern Ukraine, there have been three assassination attempts against Ukrainians with pro-Russian leanings by resistance forces.

Kherson Oblast is a strategic area connecting the Crimean Peninsula, forcibly annexed by Russia in 2014, and the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine. Russian forces have occupied this area since March.

Additionally, according to Russian state media RIA and TASS, on the 16th, Yevgeny Sobolev, the head of the Kherson Oblast prison, was targeted in an assassination attempt.

His vehicle, an Audi Q7 SUV, suffered severe damage when its windows exploded, but Sobolev survived.

Less than a week after this incident, on the 24th (local time), Dmitry Savlyuchenko, the head of the Youth Sports Department in Kherson Oblast, was attacked and killed.

Serhiy Klan, advisor to the head of the Kherson Oblast civilian government, claimed, "The traitor Savlyuchenko exploded inside his car," adding, "Our resistance forces have achieved another victory."

The U.S. government currently analyzes that although these assassination attempts are limited to Kherson Oblast, they could pose a significant challenge to Russia’s efforts to occupy all of Ukraine.

Furthermore, it is anticipated that Ukraine’s resistance movement could rapidly expand. Avril Haines, Director of the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), stated at a meeting held in Washington D.C. on the 29th (local time), "The Kremlin is facing increasing resistance activities in southern Ukraine."

In particular, resistance forces are disrupting Russia’s ability to perform basic "government functions," such as providing clean drinking water and garbage collection services.

Meanwhile, Russian forces have withdrawn some troops from Kherson to focus on occupying the Donbas region in the east. This recent reduction of troops in Kherson Oblast is also analyzed as having given local resistance forces an opportunity to counterattack.

However, this resistance does not appear strong enough to significantly weaken Russian control.

A source told CNN, "It is unlikely that local resistance forces in Kherson Oblast are organized enough to plan attacks and provide weapons and operations."

Currently, Russia is proceeding with the process of annexing the occupied territories. Russia has designated the ruble as the official currency in the occupied areas and simplified procedures for acquiring Russian citizenship. Additionally, resident votes for integration into Russia are being prepared in several regions.