Russia does not give up hope of capturing Ukrainian Kharkiv, and therefore, according to experts, it will increasingly try to weaken it by destabilizing the situation from within. The occupiers already have extensive experience in using various kinds of IPSO. The statements of Kyrylo Kernes, the son of the late Kharkiv Mayor Hennadiy Kernes, can be a vivid example of such work, as political analyst Oleksandr Kochetkov expressed in a commentary to UNN.
In an interview, Kyrylo Kernes said that while his father was undergoing treatment at the German Charité clinic, he was nominated without his consent as a candidate for mayor of Kharkiv, and won. After that, he said, the city's government was seized. Such a contradictory statement raises many questions, given that three years have passed since then.
"If I were an expert, I would definitely pay attention to the fact that there may be hidden interests of Russia here, it may be a special operation to stir up the situation. For sure, and we have this information, Russia is planning both an information operation and a seizure - they will try to seize the country by military force," Kochetkov emphasized, commenting on Kernes Jr.'s statements.
In his opinion, there are two explanations for Kyrylo Kernes' activity right now, which can be either separate or combined. One is material, i.e., related to money, in particular, Kyrylo Kernes may want to get or keep something that he believes belongs to him. The other is that it points to a Russian trace.
At the same time, the expert believes that both of these components are combined into one, meaning that Kyrylo Kernes' ambitions may hide the interests of the aggressor country.
"I am absolutely convinced that this is not really him. He is not an independent and proactive person. He is more of a slave than a leader. Rather, he is initiated by someone in a certain way," Kochetkov said.
The expert added that all attempts to shake up the situation in Kharkiv in this way because of the events of three years ago are futile.
Recall
Hennadiy Kernes died on December 17, 2020, at the Charité clinic in Germany, where he was being treated for complications caused by the coronavirus. He was elected mayor of Kharkiv in the first round of local elections on October 25, 2020. On December 9, Hennadiy Kernes took office as mayor of Kharkiv.
After his death, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine announced early elections for the mayor of Kharkiv, which were won by Igor Terekhov.