Russians falsely classifying Ukrainians entering occupied part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast as "refugees" — ISW

The occupying "authorities" in the part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast temporarily captured by the Russians falsely classify as "temporary asylum seekers" citizens of Ukraine who enter the occupied region, announced the American Institute for the Study of War in its latest update.

The analysts note that the occupation authorities had "signed" an "order" according to which citizens of Ukraine who arrive in the occupied part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast are falsely recognized as refugees escaping persecution in Ukraine in accordance with Russian legislation.

The Institute says that the occupiers may use the "refugee" status to restrict Ukrainians who temporarily return to the occupied territories after being evacuated from them.

This "order" will probably apply to citizens of Ukraine who are heading to the occupied part of Kherson Oblast through the checkpoint in Vasylivka.

The "order" requires registration of persons at the point of arrival in the occupied part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, and Vasylivka is a checkpoint that serves both Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

Other conclusions of analysts:

• Russian forces made marginal gains along the Mykolaiv-Kherson line;
• Prymorsky Krai announced the formation of a new repair and service volunteer battalion;
• Ukrainian partisans continued to conduct attacks against Russian forces in occupied Melitopol.