Article Summary

The article reports that Russia is eliminating border zones between its territory and occupied parts of Ukraine, citing internal documents that claim the 'completion of annexation.' It connects this move to a broader pattern of actions—like pushing Russian citizenship on Ukrainians and seizing property—to solidify control over occupied areas, with input from experts and human rights groups highlighting the coercive nature of these policies. While the article emphasizes Russia’s systematic efforts, it doesn’t include any official Russian explanations beyond the documents’ wording.