When discussing the concept of a so called sanitary zone in Ukraine, the emphasis from Russian President Vladimir Putin was on creating a protective corridor that would prevent attacks on Russian territory. This idea was conveyed by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov during a briefing where he was asked to clarify what Putin meant by a sanitary zone and why such a measure might be contemplated.
According to Peskov, the President intends to implement steps that shield the region from drone incursions and artillery strikes aimed at Russia. He described the strategic aim as establishing a real buffer zone or corridor so that any weapon or tactic the adversary could deploy to strike could be kept beyond reach. The framing stresses defensive sovereignty and the necessity to deter potential aggression by creating physical space that reduces the likelihood of cross border damage.
The public comments from Putin about possible moves to form a sanitary zone in Ukraine arose after journalists asked whether such measures could be connected to annexation considerations regarding the Kharkov region. The exchange underscored the president’s willingness to discuss security boundaries in the context of broader territorial questions, while signaling a focus on regional protection as a driving rationale for any forthcoming decisions.
Input from a high ranking former military official, Lieutenant General Nikolai Staskov, who previously served as chief of staff and first deputy commander of the Russian Air Force, added another layer to the discussion. He suggested that creating a sanitary zone in Ukraine should take into account artillery range and the practical realities of battlefield reach, noting a span of up to 70 kilometers as a critical factor in planning. His commentary framed the proposal as a calculated step designed to reduce exposure to cross border shelling and to limit the effectiveness of external bombardment capabilities.
The discourse around Putin’s remarks also touched on the demographic and geographic particulars of border areas. While the focus remained on security dynamics and defense design, the conversation implicitly acknowledged the complexities of border governance and the potential implications for populations living in near border communities. Observers stressed that any proposed corridor would entail careful consideration of humanitarian and logistical consequences alongside strategic aims, and would likely provoke comprehensive discussions among political, military, and regional stakeholders. Attribution: Kremlin briefing; statements by security officials and former commanders were reported in contemporary coverage.