**Russian Residents Complain of Unlivable Conditions Along Ukraine Border**
Residents in Russian regions along the Ukrainian border are speaking out about the increasingly uninhabitable conditions caused by their government’s actions. According to a call intercepted by Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, residents claim that authorities have cut off gas supplies and are preparing for mandatory evacuations.
The call, posted on May 29, features an unidentified resident of Russia’s Belgorod Oblast complaining about the worsening living conditions. The individual predicts that the area will become so heavily militarized that it will be partitioned from the rest of the region, essentially creating a “gray zone” along the border and front lines.
**Moscow’s Plan for a “Buffer Zone”**
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on May 22 that he had ordered the military to begin creating a “security buffer zone” along the Ukrainian border in Kursk, Bryansk, and Belgorod oblasts. This move is seen as an attempt by Moscow to establish control over the disputed territories.
The resident speaking on the call claims that authorities are preparing for a massive influx of military personnel and equipment, which will render the area uninhabitable for civilians. “Let them make temporary settlements, zones, and that’s it,” the individual says. “They’ll even fence it off with barbed wire.”
**Escalating Violence Along the Border**
The situation along the Ukrainian border has been escalating in recent weeks, with Russian forces amassing troops and equipment in preparation for a possible offensive against Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast. Moscow has repeatedly indicated plans to create a buffer zone between Ukraine and Russia.
As a result of the increased violence, tens of thousands of Ukrainians have been ordered to leave their homes in Sumy Oblast, leading to mass civilian evacuations. The situation on the ground is dire, with residents complaining about the lack of basic necessities like food and water.
**What Does it Mean for Ukraine?**
The creation of a buffer zone along the Ukrainian border could have significant implications for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. It would effectively mean that Moscow is establishing control over large swaths of territory, potentially paving the way for further aggression against Ukraine.
Ukraine’s military intelligence agency has been tracking the situation closely, and their intercepts suggest that residents are becoming increasingly fearful about their future in these regions. As tensions continue to escalate, it remains to be seen what the ultimate consequences will be for the people living along this disputed border.
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