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Putin orders ‘security buffer’ on Ukraine border, Medvedev warns zone could swallow most of country

26.05.2025 15:00
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that his armed forces have begun carving out a “security buffer zone” along the frontier with Ukraine to protect border communities from drone raids and sabotage.
Ukrainian rescuers work at the site of a residential area struck by a rocket as a result of an overnight strike in a village near Kyiv, Ukraine, 25 May 2025, amid the ongoing Russian invasion. At least 12 people were killed across Ukraine, including children, and dozens more were injured, after Russia launched a large-scale attack with at least 69
Ukrainian rescuers work at the site of a residential area struck by a rocket as a result of an overnight strike in a village near Kyiv, Ukraine, 25 May 2025, amid the ongoing Russian invasion. At least 12 people were killed across Ukraine, including children, and dozens more were injured, after Russia launched a large-scale attack with at least 69 EPA/SERGEY DOLZHENKO

“A decision has been taken to create the necessary security buffer zone along the borders,” Putin told a government meeting, according to state news agency RIA.

“Our forces are carrying out this task, actively suppressing enemy firing points; work is under way.”

He said Ukrainian drones were “hunting civilian transport, ambulances and farm equipment,” wounding women and children.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha responded on X that the announcement came “amid active efforts to secure a achieve a full, durable ceasefire,” calling the plan “new aggressive claims” that “reject peace efforts” and demanding the international community increase pressure on Moscow.

Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy chair of Russia’s Security Council, escalated the rhetoric with a video map showing a future buffer zone covering almost all of Ukraine except a narrow strip abutting Poland.

“If military aid to [Ukraine] continues, the buffer zone could look like this,” Medvedev wrote.

Ukrainian analyst Vitaliy Portnykov noted on TSN television that Moscow already claims Russia’s borders run to the administrative lines of the occupied Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, implying any buffer would push farther into areas still held by Kyiv.

Sybiha urged allies to act before the plan undermines nascent diplomatic talks. “[Putin] needs to face more pressure to end this war,” he said.

Russia’s move comes amid stalled ceasefire negotiations and continued fighting along the 1,000-km front.

(jh)

Source: Polskie Radio 24