Putin plans to resettle 100,000 Russians in occupied Ukraine

Vladimir Putin is preparing a long-term plan to relocate more than 100,000 Russian citizens into occupied regions of Ukraine, according to documents detailing a strategy to cement Moscow’s grip on seized territory.

The resettlement scheme targets areas under Russian control in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, with the relocation of roughly 114,000 Russians planned by 2045.

Reports based on documents obtained by Ukrainska Pravda suggest the Kremlin aims to reshape the demographic balance of the occupied territories while embedding Russia’s administrative and economic systems.

The approach echoes population transfer policies used during the Soviet Union era to tighten political control in strategically sensitive regions.

Mass construction to anchor Russian presence

The resettlement push would be backed by a major construction programme designed to permanently anchor Russian communities in the region.

Plans drawn up by the state development corporation VEB.RF and the Institute for Spatial Planning of Russia include building more than 13 million square metres of housing.

The proposals also outline the construction of more than 140 kindergartens, dozens of schools and around 100 medical facilities intended to support the new population.

Officials expect more than 225,000 workers to be involved in the projects, suggesting the plan could double as an economic expansion drive.

Infrastructure and tourism strategy

Transport infrastructure is another central pillar of the proposal.

Russia intends to build or upgrade more than 3,200 kilometres of roads and roughly 430 kilometres of rail lines across the occupied regions, alongside new stations, port facilities and the reconstruction of four airports.

The documents also highlight tourism as a future economic driver, identifying destinations such as Mariupol, Prymorsk and Henichesk as potential resort hubs.

The broader goal appears clear: integrate the occupied territories socially, economically and demographically into Russia — turning temporary military gains into permanent geopolitical reality.

Putin plans mass relocation of Russians: 100,000 will be sent to occupied Ukraine