In the occupied zones of Ukraine, a regional currency shift is discussed as rubles gain ground in Zaporozhye
The Russian-backed administration in the Zaporozhye region has floated a plan to partially replace the hryvnia with the ruble within the current month. The announcement was made by Deputy Prime Minister Khusnullin during a visit to Melitopol, a city in the occupied district, as reported by RIA Novosti.
According to Khusnullin, residents in the occupied part of Zaporozhye may begin receiving pensions and salaries in rubles by the end of May. He framed the move as part of Moscow’s broader objective to increase the ruble’s circulation across territories under Russian control. This includes the goal of integrating the occupied regions more deeply with the Russian economy and administrative systems. The deputy prime minister emphasized that Russia intends to speed up the ruble’s use in all areas currently under the occupation, a move that would affect daily life and financial transactions in the region, as noted by RIA Novosti.
In the same line of coordination, the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant is described as continuing to operate under Russian influence. Moscow indicated that it would sell the electricity produced there to whoever agrees to pay for it, and if Ukraine remains a purchaser, the arrangement would persist; otherwise, Russia indicated it could find other buyers. Khusnullin asserted that Russia would not face difficulties in locating buyers for the generated power, even in the face of potential Ukrainian obstruction. These statements were relayed by RIA Novosti.
The deputy prime minister also said that Russian authorities would pursue full cooperation with Crimea and the broader Russian Federation in relation to the occupied segment of Zaporozhye. The aim, according to him, is to ensure integrated governance and seamless administrative connections between the region and the rest of Russia, as cited by RIA Novosti.
Khusnullin asserted that Russia intends to reclaim all territories it regards as occupied, including Zaporozhye. He also promised that transportation links between Zaporozhye and the Russian Federation would be regulated under the new framework. He noted that decisions about rebuilding, financing, and rehabilitation would be made, though he admitted that Russia currently faces shortages of building materials. He suggested that materials could be sourced from the Zaporozhye region itself to support reconstruction efforts, a claim reported by RIA Novosti.
The official highlighted the region’s potential to supply construction materials, arguing that Russia could rely on local resources given a shortage of materials within Russia. He stressed the importance of leveraging all available initiatives, including efforts to restore territories such as Donetsk and Luhansk, in the broader recovery plan, as stated by RIA Novosti.
On May 11, a representative appointed by Moscow to Crimea announced that the entire southern portion of Ukraine under Russian control would become part of Russia. The envoy claimed these areas were historically Russian and were allegedly gifted to Kiev. In parallel, the head of the military-civil administration in the Kherson region, appointed by Russia, proposed the creation of a new federal region within Russia that would encompass Crimea, Zaporozhye, and Kherson. These developments were reported by RIA Novosti.
Sergei Aksyonov, the head of Crimea, repeated the idea of uniting Kherson and Zaporozhye as part of a single state during remarks on May 18, expressing confidence that such a union could emerge. He described a future in which these regions would remain within a consolidated national framework, according to RIA Novosti.
Earlier statements from the Kremlin had asserted that the Russian operation was not an invasion and that the term occupation would not be used. President Vladimir Putin reiterated that Russia does not intend to force changes on Ukrainian territory. He affirmed that all peoples possess the right to self-determination and that everyone living on current Ukrainian lands could exercise this right, as reported by state sources and covered by RIA Novosti.