Russia wants to build the "Azov Ring" in the occupied territories, according to Reuters
A major investigation by Reuters has uncovered a systematic strategy by Russia to establish a long-term foothold in Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territories. To this end, the Kremlin is investing billions of dollars in infrastructure development—including railways, ports, and highways.
This is reported by Reuters.
According to an analysis of thousands of satellite images, tender documents, and interviews, more than 2,500 km of roads and railways were built or modernized in the occupied territories and adjacent areas of the Russian Federation between 2022 and 2025.
Key projects include:
- the 525-km “Novorossiya” railway, which is intended to connect the occupied parts of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions directly with Russia;
- the “Azov Ring” highway, approximately 1,400 km long, which forms a logistics ring around the Sea of Azov and connects the occupied ports with Crimea and Rostov;
- the modernization of port infrastructure, particularly in Mariupol, where the construction of new terminals and the preparation of coal for export under the Russian flag have been documented.
Commenting on these actions, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Russian infrastructure projects are not aimed at regional development.
“This doesn’t look like some kind of modern resort. It’s all militarized,” he emphasized.
Ukrainian authorities note that such facilities are primarily used to support Russian military logistics and the removal of resources from occupied territories.
Carolina Gird, an expert at the Institute for the Study of War, also points to the strategic nature of these investments.
“Russia is investing significant funds in the economy of occupied Ukraine to generate profits and financially integrate these regions into its structure,” she noted.
According to analysts, the scale of such projects indicates that the Kremlin has no intention of relinquishing control over the occupied territories.
As a reminder, the Russian occupation administration in the seized territories of Zaporizhzhia Oblast is considering the possibility of completely cutting off internet access.
