May 23 — On May 22, Russia’s leader Vladimir Putin claimed that he ordered the military command to prepare a “security buffer zone” along Russia-Ukraine border.

“I have already said that a decision has been made to create the necessary security buffer zone along the border,” Putin said.

Putin noted the zone would be along the Kursk, Belgorod, and Bryansk regions.

The RBK Ukraine news agency, referring to their sources, has reported that Putin plans to establish a “buffer zone” 9 to 12 miles inside the Kharkiv and Sumy regions. If Russia succeeds in this effort, the distance between Russian troops and Kharkiv will be cut by half, which will make the city vulnerable to attacks from tube artillery.

Andrii Pomahaibus, chief of staff of the 13th National Guard Brigade, “Khartia,” said that Russia is accumulating its forces and preparing to launch a new assault on the north of Kharkiv.

Putin made the “buffer zone” claim a day after his first visit to Kursk Oblast since Ukrainian forces had launched an incursion there last year. Ukraine’s General Staff says that military operations are still ongoing there.  

Andrii Sybiha, Foreign Minister, wrote on X that Kremlin new aggressive claims reject peace efforts and show that Putin has been and remains the only reason that war continues. He also urged the world to put more pressure on Russia.

Heorhii Tykhy, Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson, called Russia an “obstacle to peace efforts,” commenting on Putin’s order. 

“(Russia) must be pressured through various means (that have to) compel them to agree to peace and establish a lasting ceasefire,” he said in a comment to multiple Ukrainian news outlets.

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