Russia Installs Own 'Head Of The Government' In Occupied Ukraine Region

The Russian government has installed its own official to act as the head of the “government” of the Ukrainian region of Zaporizhzhia even as Ukrainians hold the region’s northern areas.

The Russian Federation has assigned Anton Koltsov as the head of the “government” of Zaporizhia Oblast. Koltsov previously served as the first vice-governor of the Russian region of Vologda.

“Anton Koltsov, who previously held the position of first vice-governor of Vologda Oblast, was appointed as the head of the government of Zaporizhzhia Oblast,” Vladimir Rogov, a member of the occupation administration of the Zaporizhzhia region, said in a comment to RIA Novosti.

In addition to Koltsov, the Russian government has also appointed Anton Tytskiy as the “Minister of Youth Police of Zaporizhzhia Oblast.” Tytskiy previously served as an adviser to the head of Rosmolod.

The news came less than a week after Russian official Evgeny Balitsky, head of the occupation administration in Zaporizhzhia, said they would hold a referendum in early autumn on whether the region would become part of Russia.

While Russian forces occupy the majority of the region, Ukrainians still hold areas in the northern part, including the city of Zaporizhzhia.

“I, as the head of the military-civil administration of the Zaporizhzhia oblast, have decided to hold a referendum, which will take place in early autumn,” Balitsky said. “Mechanisms are being worked out. The referendum will determine what the inhabitants of the Zaporizhzhia region want and how they want to live.”

The Russian government’s appointment of Koltsov and Tytskiy came more than a week after Petro Andriushchenko, advisor to the mayor of Mariupol, on July 10, said a convoy of Russian equipment had driven through the city of Mariupol toward the direction of Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

In addition to numerous tractors carrying BMD-4s, Andriushchenko also said a large number of Russian soldiers aboard Kamaz trucks had taken up residence in school premises located in several villages in Nikopol and Manhush districts. Both areas are adjacent to Zaporizhzhia Oblast. The Ukrainian official added that most soldiers were young men. Some of the soldiers were believed to be conscripts.