"Russia's Invasion Goal is Establishing a Pro-Russian Regime... Kyiv's Fall is a Matter of Time" (Summary)

Capture of Chernobyl for Rapid Advance to Kyiv
"Will Demand Demilitarization Agreement After Establishing Pro-Russian Regime"
"Putin's Future Gambles in Europe Feared to Be More Dangerous"

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] As Russian forces carry out simultaneous attacks across Ukraine and hasten their advance toward Kyiv, analyses suggest that Russia's invasion goal is regime change in Ukraine. It is believed that Russia aims to install a pro-Russian puppet government in Ukraine, turning it into a satellite state like Belarus, and then push for agreements favorable to Russia in terms of security and economy.

On the 24th (local time), Bloomberg News cited a senior U.S. defense official saying, "Russia's intent is to overthrow the Ukrainian government. Their attack target is Kyiv, and they intend to establish their own style of governance in Ukraine," adding, "There is a possibility that Kyiv could fall within the next few hours."

Chernobyl on the shortest route to Kyiv occupied despite radiation exposure concerns

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

In fact, Russian forces are rapidly advancing toward Kyiv. They have also occupied the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, located on the shortest route from the Belarus border to Kyiv. According to TASS News Agency, the Ukrainian presidential office announced that after clashes with Russian troops, control over the Chernobyl nuclear facility was lost. It is interpreted that despite concerns over radiation exposure to soldiers, Russia attacked Chernobyl to accelerate their advance toward Kyiv.

The Ukrainian government has even declared a nationwide mobilization order, but it is known that the power imbalance is already severe. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, "What we heard today is not just missile explosions, battles, or aircraft noise. This is the sound of a new iron curtain descending," and encouraged resistance by stating, "Our mission is to prevent an iron curtain from being drawn over Ukrainian territory."

However, the siege of the capital Kyiv is expected to be only a matter of time. The Associated Press, citing a senior Ukrainian military official, reported, "Russian forces are rapidly attempting to encircle Kyiv," and "Within the next four days (96 hours), Kyiv will be completely surrounded and isolated." The AP also reported that some troops are already engaged in battles on the outskirts of Kyiv.

"After establishing a pro-Russian regime, a peace agreement will be offered to disarm Ukraine"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

There is a high possibility that Russia will overthrow the Zelensky government and establish a pro-Russian puppet regime, effectively turning Ukraine into a satellite state. The U.S. political media outlet Politico, citing experts, reported, "Russia is likely preparing a peace agreement that demands neutrality and disarmament from Ukraine after establishing a pro-Russian regime, effectively rendering Ukraine disarmed."

Along with this, it is expected that the national goal of joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which is enshrined in the Ukrainian constitution, will be removed. According to the BBC, Ukraine, shortly after the Zelensky administration took office in February 2019, amended its constitution to explicitly state NATO membership as a national goal.

Despite Russia's indiscriminate invasion, the U.S. government has announced only limited measures. President Biden condemned, "Putin chose this war as an aggressor. Now he and his country will bear the consequences," during a press conference. However, only additional financial sanctions, export controls on semiconductors, computers, telecommunications, information security equipment, and the deployment of 7,000 additional troops to Germany were announced.

As U.S. and Western sanctions are expected to have minimal impact on Russia, there are warnings that the Putin regime, emboldened by strong confidence, may engage in even more dangerous gambles. Daniel Treisman, a U.S. Russia expert and political science professor at the University of California, warned in an interview with CNN, "If President Putin easily takes control of Ukraine again, as he did during the 2014 annexation of Crimea, the danger will increase," adding, "He is likely to focus on exerting military threats against all Eastern European countries, further weakening NATO's cohesion."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.