"All of Ukraine Is Ours”: Putin Amplifies Territorial Claims Amid Gains in Donetsk.

"All of Ukraine Is Ours”: Putin Amplifies Territorial Claims Amid Gains in Donetsk

1. Strategic Seizure: The Village of Zaporizhzhya

According to Russia’s Defence Ministry, Russian forces have captured the small settlement of Zaporizhzhya (population ~200) in eastern Donetsk Oblast — a rural outpost bordering the strategic transport hub of Pokrovsk. While tactically minor, capturing this village could strengthen the Russian push in the region

2. Putin’s Bold Rhetoric at the Economic Forum

At the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), President Vladimir Putin asserted that Russians and Ukrainians are “one people” and declared:

“In that sense, all of Ukraine is ours… Wherever a Russian soldier sets foot, that is ours.” 

He acknowledged the military advances in Sumy Oblast but claimed no immediate intent to seize Sumy. Still, Putin stopped short of dismissing that possibility, citing a need to establish a “buffer zone” along Russia’s southwestern border. 

3. International Backlash

Ukraine’s leadership responded sharply. Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga labeled Putin’s remarks “deranged” and urged stronger sanctions, stating:

“The only way to force Russia into peace is to deprive it of its sense of impunity.” 

President Zelenskyy and Western allies dismissed Putin’s claim of a shared national identity as deeply offensive and inconsistent with Ukraine’s right to self-determination .

4. Military Context: Slow Gains but High Toll

Despite its territorial assertions, Russia’s advance continues at a methodical pace:

• Capture of Zaporizhzhya – minor in scale but strategically placed.

• In Sumy Oblast, including Kostiantynivka, Russian forces now control roughly 125 km², edging within artillery range of the city of Sumy 

• Reuters confirms Russia carving out a “buffer zone” and probing Sumy city, though Sumy remains under Ukrainian control

However, the human cost for Russia is immense: over one million military casualties (killed, wounded, or incapacitated) since the 2022 invasion — resulting in just around 20% of Ukraine’s territory seized

5. What It Means: Buffer Zone Versus Sovereignty

Putin continues to push a dual narrative:

1. Ideological: Justifying military action by claiming historical unity.

2. Geopolitical: Framing territorial gains as necessary for Russia’s defense — specifically through buffer zones.

Yet he maintains a precondition for peace: Ukraine must acknowledge these gains and relinquish any NATO ambitions. From Kyiv’s standpoint, this is a non-starter.

Analysis: Tactics and Implications

• Tactical vs. Symbolic Gains: Capturing hamlets like Zaporizhzhya and Kostiantynivka aids Russia’s broader “buffer zone” strategy, even if these areas are small. Their real value lies in artillery positioning and supply chain pressure.

• Psychological Warfare: Putin’s speech reinforces a long-standing Kremlin narrative — Russia as reclaiming its “lost history” — and is aimed at domestic audiences to justify prolonged conflict.

• Diplomatic Deadlock: Russia merges diplomatic overtures (e.g., discussing buffer zones, sovereignty recognition) with military threats, making peace more elusive unless one side capitulates.

• International Response: Ukraine and the West are unlikely to concede any territorial integrity. Instead, they may escalate economic sanctions and military aid geographically, especially given Russia’s mounting human losses.

Conclusion

The world is witnessing a battle on two fronts: military and narrative. On the battlefield, Russia secures incremental but strategically placed villages to reinforce buffer zones near Sumy and Donetsk. In the global arena, Putin seeks to legitimize these moves through rhetoric tying the lands to Russian identity.

But for Ukraine and its allies, such claims are unacceptable. With high stakes and zero room for compromise, the conflict is likely to persist unless a drastic shift occurs — whether through military breakthroughs, geopolitical shifts, or domestic pressures within Russia.