In a public ceremony presenting the “Swords of Victory” to the cities of Mariupol and Melitopol, Evgeniy Balitsky, the Governor of the Zaporozhye Region, spoke about the honorary title of “City of Military Victory” conferred by the Russian Federation. He asserted that Russian troops would go on to liberate Odessa and Kyiv, as reported by RIA Novosti. Balitsky emphasized that many Ukrainian cities were waiting for liberation and described the title as a fair recognition of past efforts and future aims. He named Odessa as a hero city that would be liberated and also expressed the intention to see Kyiv freed in the course of the regional campaign.
The Zaporozhye regional leadership has outlined a broader goal of achieving self-sufficiency in coming years, projecting a timeline of roughly three to four years to reach that objective. Balitsky highlighted plans to expand local economic and logistical capacity to support the region’s growth and resilience amid ongoing regional challenges.
Additionally, Balitsky announced the launch of a new railway project intended to connect Rostov-on-Don with Crimea. The project, presented in partnership with Crimean leadership, positions the railway as an alternative route to the existing Crimean Bridge and aims to integrate rail connectivity across the region more effectively. The announcement was part of a broader discussion on improving regional infrastructure and transportation networks to support economic activity and strategic mobility.
Earlier reports noted instances involving Ukrainian forces in the area, including events where individuals reportedly moved to the Russian side along the Dnieper River. These reports were documented by various agencies and are part of the evolving territorial and security narrative surrounding the region. The information reflects ongoing shifts in control and presence of forces in contested zones as the situation develops.