Russia Transforms Occupied Donbas into Major Military Base to Intimidate Europe

Situation in Occupied Donbas

A region in Donetsk controlled by Russia is becoming the center of a new military strategy aimed at intimidating Europe. Reports indicate that a Russian officer has been unusually indulgent towards a recently recruited soldier, providing him with the phone number of a woman. Prompted by the difficult wartime situation, the soldier quickly marries but, after a brief honeymoon, is sent on a mission from which he does not return.

The young widow cashes in on funeral allowances, receiving between 5 and 10 million rubles, which she subsequently shares with the officer, who has already found another "fiancée." This story illustrates a harsh business scheme in the occupied area, where under-equipped soldiers spend part of their salaries on consumer goods, and a black market for drugs and weapons thrives.

Militarized Economy

Moscow has clear plans to create a militarized base in Donbas. According to analysts, Russia is directing billions of dollars towards construction projects, all while corruption prevails. Destroyed localities, such as Avdiivka and Bakhmut, see their futures in tourist resorts rather than the reconstruction of affected industries. However, most projects remain unfinished due to deep-rooted corruption and abuses of power.

The exploitation of natural resources in Donbas continues irresponsibly, contaminated by chemical waste severely affecting the ecosystem. It is estimated that the environmental destruction will have irreversible effects in the coming years, highlighting the severity of the situation in the region.