A Russian official from the powerful security services (FSB) took over the government of Ukraine’s Kherson region occupied by Russian forces on Tuesday.
Sergei Eliseyev, until then first deputy head of government for Russia’s Kaliningrad region (Northwest), “has become head of government for the Kherson region,” Vladimir Saldo, who heads the administration, said on Monday night’s telegram from the Russian occupation.
His government will take office on Tuesday, he added.
A graduate of the FSB Academy, Mr Eliseyev, 51, served in that security service in unspecified capacities, according to the Kaliningrad region’s website.
Alexei Kovalev, a former Ukrainian MP who moved to Moscow and survived an assassination attempt at the end of June, has been appointed Mr Eliseyev’s deputy for agricultural issues.
“Russia is here forever,” he said.
Since the conquest of Kherson, Moscow has been pursuing a policy of Russification: the ruble was introduced, Russian passports were issued, the first Russian bank was opened there at the end of June, critical voices were suppressed and economic activity was largely kept under professional administration.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, launching his offensive against Ukraine, said his country would not occupy it.
Since then, the Kremlin has contented itself with saying that residents will choose their future, implying that it is in favor of a referendum to organize an annexation, as was the case in Crimea.
At the same time, several attacks in recent weeks have won over targeted representatives in the occupied territories for the Kremlin, such as the one against Alexei Kovalev.
And the Ukrainian forces again went on the offensive in the Kherson region, regaining ground from the Russians.