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Zelensky: Russia can try to occupy Kharkov

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in an interview with the Washington Post, said that Russia could try to occupy the industrial city of Kharkov if it takes military action against Ukraine. That would be the beginning of a “large-scale war,” he said.

Russia has deployed tens of thousands of troops near the border with Ukraine. The Kharkiv (or Kharkiv in Ukrainian) is the second largest city in the former Soviet republic and is 42 kilometers from the border.

“Realistically speaking, I would say that if the Russia “If it decides to intensify the escalation, of course it will do so in those territories where, historically, there were people who had family ties with Russia,” Zelensky said. “Kharkiv, which is under the control of the Ukrainian government, could be occupied. “Russia needs a pretext: they will say they are protecting the Russian-speaking population.”

The Ukrainian president believes that this scenario is “possible” after the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014. “It will not be just an occupation, it will be the beginning of a large-scale war,” he warned, as reported by Reuters and rebroadcast. Athens News Agency.

Russia denies plans to attack Ukraine

Kharkiv has a population of about 1.4 million. It was its capital Of Ukraine between 1919-33 and there are based industries that manufacture tanks, tractors and electronics.

“I want to assure all Kharkiv residents that the city is ready to strongly repel a possible invader, they have all the forces to defend Kharkiv,” wrote the mayor of the city, Igor Terekhov, on Facebook.

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