"Over 2,600 Ukrainian Cities and Towns Occupied by Russia, Reconstruction Needed"

President Zelensky: "Restoration Needed for Areas Destroyed by Occupying Forces"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] More than 3,600 cities and towns in Ukraine have been occupied by Russia, and over 2,600 of them remain under control.

On the 2nd (local time), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video speech, "The Ukrainian military has retaken more than 1,000 cities and towns so far, but 2,610 still need to be liberated," adding, "Most of the areas shocked by the war require reconstruction, and hundreds of these have been completely destroyed by Russia."

He emphasized, "We must restore everything destroyed by the occupying forces and create a new foundation that is safe, modern, convenient, and accessible for our lives and country."

President Zelensky stated, "We have begun to restore normal life in the communities and territories liberated by our own power, and large-scale projects that provide new safety standards and quality of life nationwide are possible when international capabilities are mobilized."

President Zelensky added that the 'Ukraine Reconstruction Conference' will be an important step for national reconstruction. This conference is the first high-level international meeting held to discuss Ukraine's reconstruction and recovery. It will be held over two days starting on the 4th in Lugano, Switzerland, with representatives from more than 40 countries and major international organizations attending, including President Zelensky participating via video.

This conference was previously an annual event called the 'Ukraine Reform Conference,' but after Russia's invasion, it was reorganized to discuss the overall direction of reconstruction and recovery plans.

According to a report published in Ukraine last May, the direct and indirect property damage caused by Russia during the two months following the invasion on February 24 amounts to 600 billion won. Compared to Ukraine's 2020 GDP of 155.6 billion dollars (approximately 202 trillion won), this is about four times the amount.

The Russian military is implementing a leveling strategy that devastates cities with indiscriminate bombings. The length of damaged roads reaches 23,800 km, and major infrastructure such as housing, factories, airports, and railways has been destroyed. The level of destruction is severe.

The Group of Seven (G7) has agreed to provide 29.5 billion dollars (about 38 trillion won) this year to help Ukraine maintain basic government operations. At the end of last month’s summit, the G7 pledged to continue financial, humanitarian, military, and diplomatic support for Ukraine as long as needed and to ensure security even after the war.