**Russia Pushes for Full Control Over Ukrainian Regions**
Russia is trying to gain full control over four occupied Ukrainian regions – Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. This is according to sources close to the Kremlin’s strategy.
Although Russian forces don’t fully control any of these areas, Russia wants them in their current borders, as defined by the Russian Constitution after they were annexed illegally. A Kremlin official said that Russia’s President Vladimir Putin can’t afford to lose these territories and will do whatever it takes to keep them.
**Russia Demands All Territory**
The Kremlin-linked official told Moscow Times that Russia needs all of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. He said, “The Constitution has no mechanism for regions to leave Russia. We need all of Zaporizhzhia and all of Kherson.”
**Pressure on Ukraine**
Another Russian government source suggested that Moscow hopes Washington might pressure Kyiv to withdraw entirely from the occupied regions. This could lead to prolonged negotiations while using military force to secure control, which would be costly for Russia.
**Alternative Plans**
As an alternative, Russia may attempt to seize additional Ukrainian territory and then offer an exchange for Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. This plan aims to avoid storming Kherson or forcing a crossing of the Dnipro River, which could result in thousands of casualties for Russia.
**Current Control**
Currently, Russian forces control about 98.5% of Luhansk Oblast and 60% of the Donetsk region. Despite these challenges, Russian diplomats believe that a potential Trump administration may be indifferent to the exact borders of a future settlement.
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