General · 26 March 2026
Russia's billions cementing New Russia in occupied Ukraine
An investigation finds Russia is systematically restructuring occupied areas of Ukraine to align them with its own systems. Authorities have introduced the ruble, distributed Russian passports and overhauled education to reflect Moscow’s curriculum. Infrastructure links, including roads and rail, are being redirected toward Russia, while local industries are placed under Russian management. Officials present the effort as long-term integration, but critics say it is aimed at entrenching control and making any future return of these territories to Ukraine far more difficult.
Reported by Reuters · How we write briefs