This is part of the Kremlin's operation, said the Institute for War Studies in its latest analysis, referring to the inclusion of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Russia's list of wanted criminals. According to American analysts, Moscow's goal is to undermine the legality of Zelensky's presidency and lead Ukraine to diplomatic isolation.
“The Kremlin continues its efforts to present its unprovoked military aggression against Ukraine as something else, while continuing to seek to extend the jurisdiction of Russian federal law over sovereign states,” the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) announced.
ISW recalled that, in addition to Zelensky, the wanted list of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs also included his most important political opponent, former President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, and the commander of the local land forces, General Oleksandr Pavlyuk. ISW emphasized that even Russian state media noticed that the crimes they allegedly committed were not mentioned.
“One of the Russian military bloggers expressed hope that the arrest warrant for Zelensky will prevent him from visiting countries that have concluded an extradition agreement with Russia,” ISW reported.
Volodymyr Zelenskypresident.gov.ua
Operation “Majdan3”
In its latest report, the American think tank linked Russia's actions against Zelensky with the Kremlin's operation called “Maidan3”. One of its goals is to undermine the legality of the presidency of Zelensky, who ends his term in May this year. Due to martial law, which makes it impossible to hold new elections, Zelensky will continue to remain in office.
“The Kremlin's decision to place Zelensky, Pavlyuchuk and Poroshenko on the Russian wanted list is (also) likely part of the Russian information operation 'Maidan3' and the Kremlin's broader efforts to discredit the current and previous pro-Western Ukrainian governments that emerged after Ukraine's Euromaidan revolution in 2014 , as well as the diplomatic isolation of Ukraine,” emphasized the authors of the document.
At the same time, they assessed that Moscow's actions were also a continuation of its efforts to extend Russia's jurisdiction to sovereign European and post-Soviet countries.
Politicians from NATO countries on the list
“The Russian Interior Ministry has previously placed a number of officials from NATO member states – including Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – on Russia's wanted list for alleged violations of various Russian federal laws in NATO member states. ISW continues to assess that the Kremlin's efforts to assert Russia's jurisdiction “aim to establish information conditions justifying possible future Russian aggression against NATO countries,” the report says.
Main photo source: president.gov.ua