Russian media quoted the statement of Volodymyr Rogov, who was appointed to the occupation "administration". He believes that Zaporizhzhia and other settlements of the region were created by Russian tsars, and all this time the territories were in Ukrainian captivity, where they tried to Ukrainianize the people and forced them to forget their "native" Russian language.

Distortion of history is done deliberately to play on the feelings of patriotism of ignorant people, writes the Center for Combating Disinformation at the NSDC. The CPD draws attention to the fact that similar statements are being made more often now, as the occupiers are planning to hold pseudo-referendums.