Russia declares Melitopol “capital” of occupied part of Zaporizhia region - British intelligence

Russia declares Melitopol “capital” of occupied part of Zaporizhia region - British intelligence

Ukrinform
On March 3, 2023, the authorities in the Russian-controlled part of Zaporizhia region published a decree declaring the occupied Melitopol as the region capital.

That’s according to the British Ministry of Defense, referring to their intelligence update, Ukrinform reports.

Russian-installed head of the region, Evgeniy Balitskiy, said that this was a temporary measure until the city of Zaporizhia was controlled by Russia.

Zaporizhia is one of the four regions claimed to have annexed as part of the Russian Federation on 30 September, 2022. Russia has never occupied Zaporizhia city, a major industrial center of 700,000 people, which is approximately 3 km from the current front line, the report notes.

Read also: Russia doesn’t give up missile terror while increasing intervals between strikes - intel

"The quiet declaration of an alternate capital is likely a tacit acknowledgement within the Russian system that its forces are highly unlikely to seize previously planned major objectives in the near future," the intelligence report said.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, British intelligence in its previous update said Russian authorities were likely preparing to facilitate wider conscription to cover their army’s manpower needs.

Sign up for our free newsletter skorik@ukrinform.com.


Let’s get started read our news at facebook messenger > > > Click here for subscribe

While citing and using any materials on the Internet, links to the website ukrinform.net not lower than the first paragraph are mandatory. In addition, citing the translated materials of foreign media outlets is possible only if there is a link to the website ukrinform.net and to the website of a foreign media outlet. Citing and using materials in offline media, mobile apps, Smart TV are allowed only with written permission from Ukrinform. News and publications marked as "Advertisement" and "PR" and articles in the section "Releases" include promoted content, and an advertiser is responsible for the content.

© 2015-2023 Ukrinform. All rights reserved.

Website design Studio Laconica

Extended searchHide extended search
By period:
-