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Lavrov widens Russia's stated war aims
Summary
A look back at 20 July 2022, when Moscow's foreign minister extended Russia's declared objectives beyond Donbas and the EU tightened sanctions.
What did Russia say it wanted from the war on 20 July 2022? Its foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, gave an answer that went well beyond the Donbas. He said his country's military goals were no longer limited to that region and now also covered the Kherson region, the Zaporizhzhia region and a number of other territories.
Aims and administration
The statement fitted with steps already visible on the ground. On 18 July 2022, Russia announced Anton Koltsov, former Prime Minister of Vologda Oblast, as the new Prime Minister in the Zaporizhzhia Military-Civilian Administration. The announcement said his appointment probably took place some days earlier. Together, the two developments showed Moscow tying the occupied south to its own structures while describing that territory as part of its objectives.
Fighting in the east
The Donbas remained an active front. On 18 July 2022, Russian shelling killed six civilians in Toretsk, Donetsk Oblast. Ukraine said Russia appeared to be preparing a new ground offensive near Sloviansk.
Pressure inside Kyiv
Ukraine was dealing with a security problem of its own. On 18 July 2022, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed the prosecutor general, Iryna Venediktova, and the top security official of the Security Service of Ukraine, Ivan Bakanov. More than 60 officials from the two agencies were alleged to be working with Russia. In addition, 651 cases of alleged treason and collaboration were initiated against prosecutorial and law enforcement officials.
Sanctions
On 20 July 2022, the European Union also banned imports of gold from Russia and froze Sberbank's assets. This was part of the continuing international sanctions imposed during the war.
What the day showed
Taken together, the reports of 18 and 20 July 2022 describe a war with several strands: a declared widening of Russian goals, Russian-installed administration in occupied territory, continued shelling and warnings of a new offensive in the east, a purge of Ukraine's security and prosecutorial leadership, and a new round of EU economic measures against Russia.
