Moscow: President Vladimir Putin signed a law making four regions of Ukraine occupied by Russia part of the country. As a result, the four Ukrainian provinces of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, captured by the Russian military, are now legally part of Russia. According to the new law, these regions will start using the Russian currency Ruble from 2023 and fully merge with Russia by 2026. Putin also announced the appointment of interim administrative heads in these provinces. The Ukrainian military took over almost 20 settlements in the Kherson province while the Russian president signed the law.  

At the end of last month, Russia held referendums in four regions of Ukraine. Just last week, after its results were announced, Russia announced that the provinces of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia in eastern and southern Ukraine had become part of the Russian Federation. An agreement was also made with the pro-Russian administration in the province. The agreements were ratified by the Russian Parliament and the Constitutional Court. It has since been signed into law by President Putin on Wednesday. President Putin had already warned that Russia would take any drastic decision for the regions that are now a part of Russia.  

Meanwhile, large-scale counter-offensives by the Ukrainian military are underway on territories annexed by Russia. The counter-offensives in Donetsk and Kherson provinces seem to have succeeded considerably. After capturing the key city of Lyman in the Donetsk region, Ukraine said it had captured some towns and villages in Kherson. Russia has also confirmed the information provided by Ukraine. Statements by Russian media, analysts, and the Defence Ministry refer to the conflict in Kherson as well as the retreat.  

 Security assistance from the US and European countries has been the primary factor behind the success of Ukraine. On Tuesday, the US announced new military aid to Ukraine worth $650 million. After this announcement, the value of the military aid provided by the United States to Ukraine has now exceeded 16 billion dollars. It includes air defence systems, HIMARS rockets as well as Javelin missiles. Even as this assistance was being provided, CIA Director William Burns issued a new warning about the Russian president.  

“Putin’s decisions are based on wrong assumptions. He believes he can implement a tough policy against the US and Western countries along with Ukraine. But at the same time, if you try to corner him, he can be very dangerous,” warned the head of the CIA. 

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