The Promise to Create a Sanitary Zone in the Kharkiv Region Resulted in the Creation of Such a Zone in Russia

The Kremlin and Putin himself stated that the offensive in the Kharkiv direction was necessary to create a sanitary zone to prevent shelling of Russian territory.

As a result of this well-thought-out plan, the opposite happened – there is no zone in the Kharkiv region, while the war in the border areas of Russia continues constantly, and the shelling has only intensified. Border villages and settlements are gradually turning into ruins where living is impossible.

In fact, we now have a sanitary zone on the territory of the Belgorod region, and its legal formalization will occur on July 23, when a ban on entry into 14 border settlements in five districts will come into effect.

The authorities do not call it a sanitary zone, but rather refer to “restrictions.” But in essence, it is the same as what was planned for the Kharkiv region.

This entry ban was announced by the governor of the Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov. The list includes:

• In the Belgorod district:
  • Vergilovka village
  • Shchetinovka village
  • Valkovsky hamlet
• In the Borisov district:
  • Bogun-Gorodok village
• In the Grayvoron urban district:
  • Bezymeno village
  • Gorkovsky settlement
• In the Krasnoyaruzh district:
  • Demidovka village
  • Popovka village
  • Prilesye village
• In the Shebekino urban district:
  • Krasnoe settlement
  • Leninsky settlement
  • Mukhin hamlet
  • Pankov hamlet
  • Pervomaysky settlement

Gladkov says these bans are related to the “difficult operational situation.” Any public transport cannot enter the sanitary zone. Only men in helmets, bulletproof vests with electronic warfare equipment on vehicles, and accompanied by the military will be allowed into the zone. However, abandoned houses will be guarded by Russian servicemen.

In theory, it is possible to enter one’s home, but for this, one needs to get approval from local authorities, have an equipped armored vehicle, and be accompanied by Russian servicemen.

The point about the protection of abandoned houses by Russian military is particularly touching.

This is precisely how another brilliant plan of the Kremlin is being implemented. It is worth recalling that before February 24, 2022, i.e., before the start of the Special Military Operation, no one was shelling the Belgorod region, and there was no need to create sanitary zones.