Russia's stated objective of the Special Military Operation is the denazification and demilitarization of Ukraine, thus not limited to Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhia and Kherson. This means Kharkov, Dnipro, Kiev etc are part of nazified Ukraine which must be targeted for military defeat in full compliance with Russia's stated goals.
Not really good enough. As far as I'm aware the people of Kharkov Oblast have not yet been given or taken the opportunity to express their will about their own sovereignty. And, again, I am unaware of any official Russian claims to sovereignty over the Oblast. In which case, the Defense Ministry appears to be asserting that Zapadnoe has been liberated from its legitimate sovereign authority. Which is somewhat at odds with President Putin's admirable record to date of observing international law to the letter. Now, of course, I understand that there is currently no legitimate state-wide Ukrainian political authority - both the presidency and the parliament are now illegitimate. But, as I understand it, under the Ukrainian constitution, political authority devolves to the Oblasts when state-wide federal authority breaks down. Perhaps there is a sound military strategic reason for Russian armed forces to be on the march in Kharkov Oblast. Maybe this is seen as important to the liberation of the Donetsk Oblast territory that remains under Ukrainian military occupation. I don't know. Any enlightenment on any of this I'd gratefully receive.
For the former, because the Russian Defence Ministry declared so. Usually they are very slow/careful and delay by days such announcements until well cleared and not exposed to counter-attacks. The latter, not as yet, but they'll let us know in due course.
Russia's stated objective of the Special Military Operation is the denazification and demilitarization of Ukraine, thus not limited to Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhia and Kherson. This means Kharkov, Dnipro, Kiev etc are part of nazified Ukraine which must be targeted for military defeat in full compliance with Russia's stated goals.
Not really good enough. As far as I'm aware the people of Kharkov Oblast have not yet been given or taken the opportunity to express their will about their own sovereignty. And, again, I am unaware of any official Russian claims to sovereignty over the Oblast. In which case, the Defense Ministry appears to be asserting that Zapadnoe has been liberated from its legitimate sovereign authority. Which is somewhat at odds with President Putin's admirable record to date of observing international law to the letter. Now, of course, I understand that there is currently no legitimate state-wide Ukrainian political authority - both the presidency and the parliament are now illegitimate. But, as I understand it, under the Ukrainian constitution, political authority devolves to the Oblasts when state-wide federal authority breaks down. Perhaps there is a sound military strategic reason for Russian armed forces to be on the march in Kharkov Oblast. Maybe this is seen as important to the liberation of the Donetsk Oblast territory that remains under Ukrainian military occupation. I don't know. Any enlightenment on any of this I'd gratefully receive.
Apologies...this was meant to appear as a reply to our good friend WTFUD.
How is it that the settlement of Zapadnoe is spoken of as being "liberated"? Does Russia lay claim to sovereignty over Kharkov Oblast?
It was liberated from the occupying SS West sponsored and equipped "armed forces"?!
For the former, because the Russian Defence Ministry declared so. Usually they are very slow/careful and delay by days such announcements until well cleared and not exposed to counter-attacks. The latter, not as yet, but they'll let us know in due course.