DNA Exclusive: Vladimir Putin's 'Akhand Russia' plan

Russian President Vladimir Putin has divided Ukraine into three parts without even firing a single bullet. Russia has extended recognition to the two eastern regions of Ukraine. It has also announced that it will help safeguard these regions Ukraine's military aggression. 

In today's DNA, Zee News Editor-In-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary analyses Vladimir Putin's firm plan to re-create an "Akhand Russia" even if it costs being on wrong side of western nations.

The Ukrainian regions that have been extended recognition by Russia are Donetsk and Luhansk. Russia has deployed its troops in these regions and people here are already celebrating their independence.

The rebellion in these two regions had started dring Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. The pro-Russian forces had taken government buildings and offices under their control in Donetsk and Luhansk during Crimea's annexation.

Putin, however, worked with a well-planned strategy and didn't recognise the forces working in these two regions at that time.

For those who are wondering as to how Putin divided Ukraine overnight, the answer is simple - around 80 per cent of the 60 lakh people in these two regions speak Russian language. That is, though these people were a part of Ukraine - they always had an inclination towards Russia.

Watch DNA with Sudhir Chaudhary to understand in detail the Russia-Ukraine conflict.