In a symbolic gesture of loyalty to Moscow, the Moscow-backed governor of the occupied Zaporizhzhia region, Yevgeny Balitsky, has honored a Russian general currently imprisoned with an honorary title. The award, the Order ‘For Merit to the Zaporizhzhia Region,’ was presented to Ivan Popov, a military figure who has been detained for his actions during the war in Ukraine. Balitsky’s decision to recognize Popov, despite his incarceration, underscores the continued influence of Russian authorities over the region, which has been under Ukrainian control since the war began in 2022.
The move has drawn criticism from international observers, who view it as an attempt to legitimize actions taken by Russian forces in the region. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials have condemned the gesture as an affront to their sovereignty and a reminder of the occupation’s persistence. Balitsky, who has openly supported Moscow’s war efforts, remains a key figure in the region’s administration, despite the ongoing conflict.