Russian occupation of Zaporizhzhia Oblast
![]() | This article needs to be updated.(June 2022) |
![]() | It has been suggested that this article should be split into a new article titled Zaporizhzhia Military–Civilian Administration. (discuss) (October 2022) |
Zaporizhzhia military–civilian administration Запорожская военно–гражданская администрация (Russian) | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | |||||||
![]() | |||||||
Status | Military occupation by Russia | ||||||
Administrative centre | Melitopol[1] | ||||||
Regierung | |||||||
• Head of Administration | Yevgeny Balitsky (United Russia)[2] | ||||||
• Deputy Heads of Administration | Gritsai Mikhail Pavlovich (Socialist Ukraine)[3] | ||||||
• Head of MCA Government | Anton Koltsov | ||||||
History | |||||||
24 February 2022 | |||||||
Area | |||||||
• Total | 27,183 km2 (10,495 sq mi) | ||||||
Population | |||||||
• 2022 estimate | 1,636,322 [4] | ||||||
Time zone | UTC+02:00 EET | ||||||
• Summer (DST) | UTC+03:00 EEST | ||||||
Website zapgov | |||||||
| |||||||
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4f/2022_Russian_invasion_of_Ukraine.svg/220px-2022_Russian_invasion_of_Ukraine.svg.png)
The Russian occupation of Zaporizhzhia Oblast is an ongoing military occupation, which began on 24 February 2022, as Russian forces invaded Ukraine and began capturing the southern portion of Zaporizhzhia Oblast. On 26 February, the city of Berdiansk came under Russian control, followed by the Russian victory at Melitopol on 1 March. Russian forces also laid siege and captured the city of Enerhodar, home to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which came under Russian control on 4 March. The capital of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Zaporizhzhia, has not been taken by the Russian army and remains under Ukrainian control.
In May, Russia started offering passports in those regions.[7] In July, Russia issued a decree which extends Russian 2022 war censorship laws to Zaporizhzhia Oblast, and included deportation to Russia as punishment.[8] In September, the occupation forces held "referendums" in the occupied areas of Zaporizhzhia Oblast and Kherson Oblast for the oblasts to join the Russian Federation.[9][10] On 27 September, Russian officials claimed that the accession "referendum" passed, with 93.11% of voters in favour of joining the Russian Federation.[11][12] Russia signed an accession treaty with the Russian administration of the region on September 30, 2022.[13]
Occupation
Berdiansk
On 26 February 2022, Russian troops captured the Port of Berdiansk and the Berdiansk Airport.[14][15] By the following day, the Russian military had taken full control of the city.[16][17]
Beginning on 14 March,[18] the port was used as a logistics hub by the Russians to support their offensive in southern Ukraine and in particular the siege of Mariupol. On 21 March, Russian media Zvezda reported on the arrival of amphibious transports in Berdiansk. A Russian navy officer described it as "a landmark event that will open logistical possibilities to the Black Sea Navy".[19]
On 24 March, Ukrainian forces launched an airstrike against the Alligator-class landing ship Saratov, which was destroyed and sunk, and one of the two Ropucha-class landing ships took damage but was able to leave the port.[20][21] At the time, it was the heaviest naval loss suffered by Russia during the invasion, and one of Ukraine's most significant successes.[22][23]
Melitopol
On 1 March 2022, shortly after the city's capture, citizens of Melitopol held a street protest against the military occupation of the city. The protestors marched and used their bodies to block a convoy of Russian military vehicles.[24][25]
On 10 March, the director of the Melitopol Museum of Local History, Leila Ibragimova, was arrested at her home by Russian forces, and was detained in an unknown location.[26] One day later, Melitopol's mayor, Ivan Fedorov, was abducted by Russian troops for refusing to cooperate with them and continuing to fly a Ukrainian flag in his office.[27] Russian authorities did not comment on Fedorov's disappearance, but the prosecutor's office of the Russian-backed self-proclaimed breakaway state (located within Ukraine) Luhansk People's Republic accused him of "terrorist activities".[28]
On 12 March, the Zaporizhzhia Oblast regional administration stated that former councillor and member of Opposition Bloc,[29] Halyna Danylchenko, was appointed as acting mayor.[30] Former People's Deputy of Ukraine Yevhen Balytskyi was alleged to be de facto in control of the city's government by the Security Service of Ukraine.[31][32] Meanwhile, hundreds of people took part in a protest outside Melitopol city hall to demand the release of Fedorov.[28] Olga Gaysumova, head of the non-governmental organization "Conscientious Society of Melitopol" and the organizer of local protests against Russian forces, was arrested.[33] On 13 March, the Melitopol City Council declared that, "The occupying troops of the Russian Federation are trying to illegally create an occupation administration of the city of Melitopol."[29] It appealed to the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, Iryna Venediktova, to launch a pre-trial investigation into Danylchenko and her party Opposition Bloc for treason.[29] Ukrayinska Pravda reported that the Russian military had abducted Melitopol's District Council Chairman Serhiy Priyma and had tried to abduct City Council Secretary Roman Romanov.[34] Meanwhile, Russian military vehicles were seen announcing via loudspeakers that rallies and demonstrations had been prohibited and that a curfew was imposed from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am.[35] On 14 March Ukrayinska Pravda reported that Russian forces had prevented new protests by blocking of the central square of Melitopol.[36] It also said "Two activists were abducted and taken away in an unknown direction."[36]
On 16 March, Fedorov was freed from captivity. Some Ukrainian officials said he was freed in a "special operation".[37][38][39] Zelenskyy's press aide Daria Zarivna however later said he was exchanged for nine Russian conscripts captured by Ukrainian forces.[40]
On 23 March 2022, Mayor Fedorov reported that the city was experiencing problems with food, medications, and fuel supplies, while the Russian military was seizing businesses, intimidating the local population, and holding several journalists in custody.[41] On 22 April, Fedorov said that over 100 Russian soldiers had been killed by partisans during the occupation of the city.[42]
Enerhodar
On 4 March, the city of Enerhodar and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant came under a Russian military occupation.
Oleksandr Starukh, the governor of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, stated on 5 March that Russian forces had left the city after looting it and the situation in the city was completely under the control of local authorities. However, Orlov denied the report and stated that Russian forces still occupied the perimeter of the city and the power plant, with local authorities still managing the city.[43] The Ukrainian military administration for the southeast confirmed on 7 March that Enerhodar was under control of Russian forces.[44]
On 6 March, the IAEA released a statement saying that Russian forces were interfering in the operations of the power plant, stating that "any action of plant management—including measures related to the technical operation of the six reactor units—requires prior approval by the Russian commander," and further stating that "Russian forces at the site have switched off some mobile networks and the internet so that reliable information from the site cannot be obtained through the normal channels of communication".[45] On 9 March, Herman Galushchenko, Energy Minister of Ukraine, claimed that Russian forces were holding the workers at the power plant hostage and had forced several to make propaganda videos.[46]
Mykhailivka
On August 24, 2022, the Russian-appointed head of Mykhailivka in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Ivan Sushko, was assassinated in a car bombing.[47]
Administrative divisions
According to the occupation administration, the Zaporizhzhia Military-Civilian Administration is divided into 5 districts including Berdiansk Raion, Melitopol Raion, Polohy Raion, Vasylivka Raion and Zaporizhzhia Raion.[48][unreliable source]
Occupation administration
History
On 4 March 2022, the former leader of the Anti-Maidan of Zaporizhzhia, Volodymyr Rogov, who calls himself “a member of the Main Council of the Zaporizhzhia Oblast Military-Civilian administration of the Zaporozhye”, published in his telegram channel part of the provisions of the program of “comprehensive financial and economic measures for the economic development of the regions of Ukraine controlled by the Russian Federation”. This program was written in its entirety in the newspapers published by the occupying authorities, as well as on March 9 in the public “Military-Civilian Administration of Melitopol”. According to the BBC, the program was written in a complex bureaucratic style and was similar to other similar documents of the Russian authorities.[49]
On 12 March, Halyna Danylchenko was proclaimed by the Russians as the acting mayor of the city of Melitopol,[50][51] but Ukrainian sources stated that Yevhen Balytskyi became the unofficial head of the city.[52]
On 18 May 2022, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Marat Khusnullin, during a visit to the region, stated that “the region’s prospect is to work in our friendly Russian family,” and announced the imminent implementation of plans to launch the maximum turnover of the ruble. According to him, pensions and salaries will be paid to residents of the Zaporizhzhia Oblast in Russian currency already within a calendar month.[53]
On 25 May, Vladimir Rogov announced that after the complete capture of the region, it would be annexed by Russia. He also said that a dual-currency zone was introduced in the occupied territory and the coat of arms of Aleksandrovsk from the times of the Russian Empire was installed, with which they began to issue new license plates with the signature “TVR” (a reference to the Taurida Governorate; old numbers are used, but with a “TVR” sticker over the Ukrainian flag)[54]. On the same day, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a decree on the simplified provision of Russian passports to residents of the Zaporizhzhia Oblast. They will be able to obtain Russian passports under the same procedure as the population of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts.[55]
On 28 July, Meduza reported that temporary departments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation had been set up in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia Oblastss of Ukraine.[56]
On 8 August, Balitsky announced at the forum that a referendum on “reunification” with Russia would be held in the region, and signed the corresponding order of the CEC.[57] The election commission, according to the statement, began to form as early as July 23. The referendum is expected to be held in September.[58][59]
On 8 September, it was announced that "referendums" would be held in all the occupied territories of Ukraine from 23 to 27 September, the purpose of which is the annexation of these territories.[60]
According to the results of the referendum, according to the MCA, 93.11% of voters voted for the region to become part of Russia.[61] After the announcement of the results of the referendum, Balitsky said that "Zaporizhzhia Oblast de facto separated from Ukraine".[62]
On September 28, the Zaporizhzhia MCA announced the withdrawal of the region from Ukraine.[63]
Composition
The composition of the administration is published on its website, however, not all members of the administration are listed there, but only the Head, the commandant of Berdiansk, and the deputy for housing and communal services.[64]
The table lists notable members of the administration.
Portfolio | Minister | Took office | Left office | Party | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chairman of the MCA | 26 May 2022 | Incumbent | United Russia | ||
Head of Government | 18 July 2022 | Incumbent | Independent | ||
Deputy for housing and communal services | 18 July 2022 | Incumbent | Socialist Ukraine | ||
Member of the Central Council | 18 July 2022 | Incumbent | We are Together with Russia | ||
Commandant of Berdyansk | 18 July 2022 | Incumbent | Independent |
Control of cities in the Oblast
See also
- Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine
- Russian occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol
- Russian occupation of Chernihiv Oblast
- Russian occupation of Donetsk Oblast
- Russian occupation of Kharkiv Oblast
- Russian occupation of Kherson Oblast
- Russian occupation of Kyiv Oblast
- Russian occupation of Luhansk Oblast
- Russian occupation of Mykolaiv Oblast
- Russian occupation of Sumy Oblast
- Russian occupation of Zhytomyr Oblast
- Snake Island during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation
- Annexation of Southern and Eastern Ukraine
References
- ^ "Russian proxies plan vote in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region on joining Russia". Reuters. 8 June 2022.
- ^ https://ria.ru/20220926/balitskiy-1819535484.html Глава Запорожской ВГА Балицкий вступил в "Единую Россию"
- ^ https://zabor.zp.ua/new/u-samoprovozglashennogo-mera-berdyanska-poyavilis-novye-zamestiteli-chto-pro-nikh-izvestno Очолював Запорізьку обласну та Бердянську міську організації партії "Соціалістична Україна".
- ^ "Область". Официальный сайт Администрации Запорожской области. 16 June 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
- ^ "Occupiers in Zaporizhzhia oblast steal the ZRMA's symbols and ID number to make a fake seal". imi.org.ua. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
- ^ Новости, Р. И. А. (25 May 2022). "Запорожская область вернула герб времен Российской империи". РИА Новости (in Russian). Retrieved 3 October 2022.
- ^ Chernov, Mstyslav (27 July 2022). "Putin expands fast-track Russian citizenship to all Ukraine". ABC. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
- ^ Psaropoulos, John (21 June 2022). "Russia resumes eastern Ukraine offensive and expands war aims". Al Jazeera Media Network.
- ^ N/A, N/A (16 July 2022). "Russia plans to hold referendums in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts on 11 September Ukrainian intelligence". Yahoo News. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
- ^ France-Presse, Agence (16 July 2022). "Ukraine's occupied Zaporizhzhia eyes Russia 'referendum' in autumn". Firstpost. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
- ^ "Pro-Moscow officials say 1 occupied area of Ukraine has voted to join Russia". PBS NewsHour. 27 September 2022. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
- ^ "Жители Запорожской области голосовали за воссоединение с Россией - Администрация Запорожской области" (in Russian). Retrieved 27 September 2022.
- ^ "Ukraine war latest: Putin declares four areas of Ukraine as Russian".
- ^ Шагабудтдинова, Эльмира. "Власти Бердянска заявляют о том, что вражеская техника заняла территорию бывшего аэропорта". 061.ua – Сайт города Запорожья (in Ukrainian). Archived from the original on 28 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
- ^ "Military vehicles of Russian Federation occupy territory of former Berdiansk airport". Interfax-Ukraine. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
- ^ "Ukraine crisis: Russian forces enter Sea of Azov port Berdiansk – report". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Archived from the original on 28 February 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
- ^ Yulia Zakharchenko (28 February 2022). "Бердянськ захопили бойовики, у Харкові та Сумах – тиша: Арестович про ситуацію в Україні". Fakty i Kommentarii. Archived from the original on 28 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
- ^ Trevithick, Joseph. "Russian Amphibious Ships Arrive In Captured Ukrainian City". The Drive. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
- ^ Santora, Marc (24 March 2022). "Ukrainian forces claim to destroy a Russian landing ship". The New York Times. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
- ^ "Russian military ship destroyed in Berdyansk, Ukrainian Navy claims". CNN. 24 March 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
- ^ "Ukraine conflict: Large Russian ship, the Orsk, destroyed by Ukrainian military - reports". The Scotsman. 24 March 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
- ^ Filseth, Trevor. "Ukrainian Attack Sinks Large Russian Landing Ship". The National Interest. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
- ^ "Ukrainian Attack Sinks Large Russian Landing Ship". Seven News. 25 March 2022. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
- ^ "Russia-Ukraine conflict: Singing protesters throw themselves in front of Russian armored convoy in Melitopol". Global News. 1 March 2022. Archived from the original on 1 March 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
- ^ "Shots Fired In Ukrainian City As Locals Protest Against Russian Occupation". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 2 March 2022. Archived from the original on 5 March 2022. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
- ^ "In occupied Melitopol, invaders kidnapped a deputy of regional council". Rubryka. 10 March 2022. Archived from the original on 10 March 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
- ^ Alan Cullison; Alexander Osipovich (11 March 2022). "Russian General Is Killed in Ukraine as Airstrikes Intensify". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 13 March 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
- ^ a b War in Ukraine: Russian forces accused of abducting second mayor Archived 13 March 2022 at the Wayback Machine, BBC News (13 March 2022)
- ^ a b c "Міськрада Мелітополя називає в.о мера від окупантів державною зрадницею". Українська правда (in Ukrainian). 13 March 2022. Archived from the original on 13 March 2022. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
- ^ "New mayor installed in Russia-controlled Melitopol after the Ukrainian city's elected mayor was detained". CNN. 12 March 2022. Archived from the original on 13 March 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
- ^ "Що відомо про депутата Євгена Балицького, який співпрацює з окупантами" [What is known about the deputy Yevhen Balytskyi, who cooperates with the occupiers]. Zaporizhzhian Investigation Centre (in Ukrainian). 25 March 2022. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Lotareva, Anastasiya; Zakharov, Andrei (1 April 2022). "Экс-"регионал", бухгалтерша и горный инженер: кто стал новой властью на оккупированных украинских территориях" [Ex-regional, accountant and mining engineer: who became the new government in the occupied Ukrainian territories?]. BBC (in Russian).
- ^ Irina Znas (13 March 2022). "Российские оккупанты похитили организаторку протестов в Мелитополе". Dzerkalo Tyzhnia (in Russian). Archived from the original on 13 March 2022. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
- ^ "У Мелітополі триває терор: окупанти викрали голову райради". Українська правда (in Ukrainian). 13 March 2022. Archived from the original on 13 March 2022. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
- ^ "Окупанти заборонили мелітопольцям мітинги, ті відповіли традиційно: агресор - нах#й". Українська правда (in Ukrainian). 13 March 2022. Archived from the original on 13 March 2022. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
- ^ a b "Russian occupying forces block people's protests in Melitopol – Media". Українська правда. 14 March 2022. Archived from the original on 14 March 2022. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
- ^ "Melitopol mayor freed after kidnapping by Russian forces". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
- ^ "Captured Melitopol Mayor Ivan Fedorov rescued by Ukrainian forces: Report". Washington Examiner. 16 March 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
- ^ Карловский, Денис. "Мэра Мелитополя освободили из плена русских". Украинская правда (in Russian). Retrieved 16 March 2022.
- ^ "Ukraine swapped nine Russian soldiers to free detained mayor". Reuters. 16 March 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
- ^ "Melitopol mayor accuses Russians of seizing businesses in the city". CNN. 23 March 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
- ^ "Mayor claims partisans killed more than 100 Russian soldiers in occupied Melitopol - KyivPost - Ukraine's Global Voice". KyivPost. 22 April 2022. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
- ^ "Российские войска покинули Энергодар: последствия обстрелов (уточнено)". Gazeta.ua (in Russian). 5 March 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
- ^ "Ukraine after 11th night of war: Mayor killed, towns taken, Moscow promises civilian corridors to Russia". Baltic News Network. 7 March 2022. Archived from the original on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
- ^ "Russian forces interfering at Ukraine nuclear plant: IAEA". Al-Jazeera. 6 March 2022. Archived from the original on 6 March 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
- ^ "Russian soldiers 'torturing staff' inside Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
- ^ "Russian-appointed head of Zaporizhzhia Ivan Sushko killed in car bomb explosion". 24 August 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
- ^ "Информация о Запорожской области".
- ^ ""Скоро перестроитесь". Как Россия закрепляется на оккупированных украинских территориях". BBC News Русская служба (in Russian). 29 April 2022. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
- ^ Santora, Marc; MacFarquhar, Neil (12 March 2022). "The Russians Might Have Expected a Warm Welcome. Instead the Mayor Labeled Them 'Occupiers.'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
- ^ CNN, By <a href="/profiles/helen-regan">Helen Regan</a>, <a href="/profiles/steve-george">Steve George</a>, Maureen Chowdhury, Mike Hayes and <a href="/profiles/amir-vera">Amir Vera</a> (13 March 2022). "New mayor installed in Russia-controlled Melitopol after kidnapping. Here's what we know". CNN. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
{{cite web}}
:|last=
has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Экс-"регионал", бухгалтерша и горный инженер: кто стал новой властью на оккупированных украинских территориях". BBC News Русская служба (in Russian). Retrieved 28 September 2022.
- ^ "Вице-премьер РФ Хуснуллин: Запорожская АЭС будет работать на Россию и поставлять электричество в Украину за деньги". Meduza (in Russian). Retrieved 28 September 2022.
- ^ "«Новые власти» Запорожской области заявили о введении рубля и стремлении войти в состав РФ. Об этом же говорили в Херсонской области". Meduza (in Russian). Retrieved 28 September 2022.
- ^ "Путин упростил выдачу гражданства РФ для жителей Запорожской и Херсонской областей Украины". BBC News Русская служба (in Russian). Retrieved 28 September 2022.
- ^ "МВД РФ отчиталось о создании временных управлений в оккупированных Херсонской и Запорожской областях". Meduza (in Russian). Retrieved 28 September 2022.
- ^ "Западные микросхемы в российских ракетах, новый удар по Антоновскому мосту, заключенные на фронте. 166‑й день войны". Медиазона (in Russian). Retrieved 28 September 2022.
- ^ "В оккупированной Запорожской области одобрили «референдум» о «воссоединении» с Россией. Вот как это было". Meduza (in Russian). Retrieved 28 September 2022.
- ^ "На оккупированном юге Запорожья запланировали референдум о "воссоединении" с Россией. Будет, как в Крыму?". BBC News Русская служба (in Russian). Retrieved 28 September 2022.
- ^ "Емоції Путіна і слабка позиція. Чому Росія поспішно проводить "референдуми"". BBC News Україна (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 28 September 2022.
- ^ "В Запорожье объявили результаты референдума о вхождении в состав РФ". ura.news. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
- ^ "Запорожская область де-факто отделилась от Украины — глава ВГА". www.ng.ru. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
- ^ "Запорожская ВГА заявила о выходе региона из состава Украины". РБК (in Russian). Retrieved 28 September 2022.
- ^ "Структура администрации Запорожской области" (in Russian). Retrieved 28 September 2022.