← All stories
Geopolitics

Guest claims evacuated Donbas towns will return “almost entirely” pro-Russian

Judging Freedom · Russia's Demographic Shift in Ukraine—Judge Napolitano on the Consequences · July 23, 2026
Guest claims evacuated Donbas towns will return “almost entirely” pro-Russian
Judging Freedom
Judging Freedom
Russia's Demographic Shift in Ukraine—Judge Napolitano on the Consequences
"For the most part, it will be after the cleanup of these towns, after the snipers are neutralized, after the mines are removed or detonated, then the population will come back and it will be Russian-speaking population that is pro-Russian. So in that sense, the end result of this advance of Russian troops in Donbas and Novorossiya will be a population that is almost entirely pro-Russian as well as Russian-speaking."
A guest on Judge Andrew Napolitano’s Judging Freedom claims that as Russian forces take Ukrainian towns and hamlets, most civilians evacuate during fighting and only return later based on political allegiance. He argues that those “who have allegiance to Ukraine” do not come back, while pro-Russian, Russian-speaking residents “rush back in”, producing an “almost entirely” pro-Russian demographic outcome in captured areas. The host challenges the premise by noting Russia’s stated aim of “liberating Russian-speaking Ukrainians”, prompting the guest to describe the change as a delayed effect rather than immediate local support.
From this episode
Judging Freedom
Judging Freedom

Russia's Demographic Shift in Ukraine—Judge Napolitano on the Consequences

July 23, 2026 · 4m · 1 Egleze moments
Read episode summary and key points →
More stories More from Judging Freedom