Putin Orders Expansion of Buffer Zone in Ukraine for 2026

Is Russia's buffer zone expansion a cynical land grab, or a necessary defense against Ukrainian attacks on civilians?

Published 2 hours ago

Putin Orders Expansion of Buffer Zone in Ukraine for 2026

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Above: Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting on the Russia-Ukraine war in Moscow on Dec. 29, 2025. Image credit: Mikhail Metzel/Pool/AFP/Getty Images

The Spin

Anti-Russia narrative

Putin's order to expand the buffer zone into Ukrainian territory is a clear land grab disguised as security measures. Russia continues rejecting any meaningful peacekeeping presence while pushing deeper into sovereign Ukrainian land in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions. This cynical strategy aims to harden territorial gains and undermine diplomatic solutions.

Ukrainska Pravda Modern Diplomacy

Pro-Russia narrative

Expanding the security belt along the border protects Russian civilians from constant Ukrainian shelling and drone attacks that have terrorized border regions like Belgorod. Russian forces are systematically liberating territory and breaking through defenses as Ukrainian troops retreat across the entire frontline. The military operation proceeds methodically according to plan.

TASS

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