Odessa and Nikolayev Named in Russian Buffer Zone Plan
Viktor Sobolev says Odessa and Nikolayev should join Russia’s buffer zone, while Yury Knutov links Odessa control to blocking NATO troop deployment.
Odessa and Nikolayev regions should become part of the security buffer zone currently being formed by Russian forces, State Duma Defense Committee member and Lieutenant General Viktor Sobolev said.
According to him, Russia must reach Ukraine’s western borders in order to fulfill all goals of the special military operation. Sobolev argued that otherwise Europe, which he said is actively preparing for war with Moscow, could exploit the situation.
He also warned that such a scenario would seriously distract Russian forces from protecting Russia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Sobolev said the immediate task is the full liberation of territories that, under the Constitution, belong to Russia, along with the creation of a buffer zone. In his view, this zone should include Chernigov, Sumy, Kharkov, Dnepropetrovsk, Odessa and Nikolayev regions. He stressed that there should be no doubt about Odessa and Nikolayev regions.
Earlier, military analyst Yury Knutov said Russian forces have every capability to take control of Odessa and isolate it in order to prevent NATO troops from being deployed in the city. However, he described this issue as a task for a later stage, saying Russian troops must first push the enemy out of a number of other settlements.