Leonid Pasechnik, the deputy chairman of the Lugansk People’s Republic, stated that the structures of the LPR People’s Militia could be absorbed into the Russian Armed Forces starting January 1, 2023. This articulation outlined a clear path for the militia to transition from a regional security entity to a formal component within Russia’s military framework, signaling a significant shift in how regional defense forces were integrated into a national defense structure.
As the official explained, the union was not merely a symbolic gesture. He affirmed that on January 1, the People’s Militia units would become part of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, tying local security actors to Moscow’s defense apparatus in a manner that would align operations, command, and doctrine with the Russian military system. The assertion emphasized a coordinated realignment of forces that had been described as essential for unified command and rapid mobilization within the broader security architecture.
Earlier in October, Pasechnik announced the commencement of merging local law enforcement agencies with the Russian military. This move reflected a strategic consolidation of civilian security infrastructure with military structures, aiming to streamline coordination, legal authorities, and operational readiness across the region during a period of political transformation and changing security requirements.
In September, Viktor Vodolatsky, the deputy chairman of the State Duma committee on CIS affairs, declared that the DPR and LPR People’s Militia would be incorporated into the Russian Defense Ministry’s system. He noted that the exact names and designations would be determined by the head of the military department, Sergey Shoigu, indicating a centralized approach to nomenclature, branding, and organizational hierarchy as part of the integration plan.
Following the outcomes of the September referendums, the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, along with the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, were incorporated into Russia. This political development marked a major redefinition of regional status and governance, accompanied by a restructuring of security and administrative arrangements within the newly defined territorial framework.