Ukraine military intelligence: Russia wants to split Ukraine like ‘North and South Korea’

Russia is planning to split Ukraine to create a “North and South Korea” the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence has warned, vowing it would be met with guerrilla warfare in retaliation.

Kyrylo Budanov, said on Sunday Russia was trying to create a Moscow-controlled region, having failed to take over the whole of the country.

“In fact, it is an attempt to create North and South Korea in Ukraine,” he said in a statement, referring to the division of Korea after World War Two, predicting a strong fightback from Ukrainian forces.

“In addition, the season of a total Ukrainian guerrilla safari will soon begin. Then there will be one relevant scenario left for the Russians, how to survive,” he said.

The leader of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People’s Republic, Leonid Pasechnik, said a referendum on joining Russia could happen in the near future.

Mr Pasechnik was reported as saying a vote could be held soon in which people in the territory would be able to “exercise their absolute constitutional right” and give their opinion on joining Russia.