THOUSANDS of families could be wrenched apart if Ukraine is carved up like post-World War Two Germany, a former Nato commander has warned.
Ukrainians who and escape Russian-occupied territory could face execution, Hamish de Bretton Gordon told The Sun.
‘s envoy General Keith Kellogg suggested that Ukraine could be carved up “like after ” as part of a peace plan.
The plan – which is still far away from reality – could see a reinforced border running the length of Ukraine and dividing it into two halves.
Between the two sides would be Ukrainian forces and Russian forces operating behind a roughly 18-mile wide demilitarised zone (DMZ).
Outlining what life would be like for Ukraine, Colonel de Bretton-Gordon said people in the Russian-occupied region would most likely not be allowed to cross the borders and enter Ukrainian territory.
And if they try to, Russian forces would most likely shoot them dead in chilling echoes of post-World War Two .
Colonel de Bretton-Gordon said: “The burning scenario would be where people could cross over those lines through checkpoints.
“No doubt there will be an awful lot of Ukrainians who don't want to serve under Russian rule.
“There would be many families caught up on the wrong sides.
“Even now there are many families in the Oblasts under Russian control who want to escape Putin's rule.”
Hundreds were slaughtered in cold blood by Russian officers guarding the in East Germany.
Many families were wrenched apart and were not allowed to reunite.
And could repeat itself if Ukraine is divided as part of any plan to bring peace between and .
The military expert added: “If there is a ceasefire, and the frontline is a thousand miles long, there will be a lot of opportunity to cross.
“The Berlin wall had Russian guards as well.
“East Germany was completely under the rule and direction of Russia.
“So one would expect a similar sort of activity – the horrific stories of people being shot trying to cross the border.
“Maybe there will be negotiations between the Russians and the Ukrainians to allow people to cross. But you can't imagine Russia wants to.
“Quite a lot of people would want to go into Ukraine rather than stay in occupied Russian territory, and Russia would look to stop that.”
The former tank commander said there would be heavy armed forces deployed on the Ukrainian side to deter Russian aggression.
General Keith Kellogg proposed that the UK and could lead zones of control in west , acting as a “reassurance force” against Putin.
Kellogg, 80, said the -led force west of the Dnipro would “not be provocative at all” to ‘s regime.
The general – who has been a leading figure in the US efforts to end Russia's war – added thatwas big enough to accommodate several armies to enforce a ceasefire.
Kellogg explained: “You could almost make it look like what happened with Berlin after World War Two, when you had azone, a French zone, and a British zone, a US zone.”
He said UK-France forces would be “west of the [Dnipro river], which is a major obstacle”.
In the event of division of Ukraine, Vladimir Putin could also from across the borders – as he has been doing since the start of the war.
Since Putin three years ago, tens of thousands of children have been kidnapped and taken into Russia.
Kremlin stooges then disturbingly try to rid the youngsters of their Ukrainian heritage and .
Sinister camps have been set up in Russia where children are sent before having their official documents altered and being placed in Russian families.
Often the children are told that their loved ones have abandoned them and that they are now part of the Russian Federation.
Mariana Betsa, Ukraine's deputy foreign minister, told The Sun how some children have been abused and suffered sexual violence.
Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs told The Sun how Russia has been using as “weapons” in the war.
At the end of World War Two in September 1945, Germany surrendered to the Allied forces, which included Britain, America, France and the Soviet Union.
The Allies decided to divide control of Germany between themselves.
Each took responsibility for a different part of the country.
Britain, America and France took over the areas in the west of Germany and the Soviet Union controlled the east.
Berlin was in the Soviet zone, but as it was the capital of Germany, it was decided that it would also be divided into four areas – one controlled by each of the four countries.
The American, British and French areas became West Berlin and the Soviet area became East Berlin.
It was constructed as a way of preventing East Germans from entering the Western side.
This 27 mile barrier consisted of two concrete walls. Between these two walls there was a ‘death strip’ approximately 160 yards wide.
A total 136 people died trying to cross the Berlin Wall during its existence. The west side of this wall was covered in graffiti but the east side was not.
The government finally destroyed the wall in 1990, although many parts of it have been left for people to see today.
