Putin says authorities must galvanize Russian identity in Ukraine

 https://www.jpost.com/international/internationalrussia-ukraine-war/article-875221

Long links between Russia and Ukraine, from even before the Soviet era, mean that some Ukrainians have traditionally been sympathetic to Russia, and most speak both languages. But since the invasion, any such sympathy has vanished, and surveys show that the use of Russian has declined sharply.

Putin has long cast doubt on Ukraine's historical identity as distinct from Russia.

Russia alleges that neo-Nazi ideology has permeated Ukrainian public life since a 2014 public uprising forced the Russia-friendly president of the time to flee the country.