What will ‘referendums’ in occupied Ukraine regions look like?
2 years, 4 months ago

What will ‘referendums’ in occupied Ukraine regions look like?

Al Jazeera  

Russian-appointed officials say they are planning such processes, but observers say they will lack legitimacy. “They brought ‘film extras’ from other temporarily-occupied areas to Melitopol – 700 people – because they couldn’t even find that many among locals,” Fyodorov, who fled the city after it was occupied in early March, wrote on Telegram on Tuesday, using a term that has been a trademark of pro-Kremlin parties and politicians for decades. “Those were local self-defence forces,” Putin told a news conference in March 2014 – only to contradict himself a month later by admitting that the “little green men” were indeed Russian servicemen. Standing next to stern-looking men from “self-defence” units or separatist fighters, who did not say a word, the officials would also say things like, “We are going back to the motherland!”; or “The fascist regime in Kyiv is organising a genocide of Russian-speaking Ukrainians!”; or “Russia will protect your children from gay propaganda!”; or “Your salaries and pensions will be so much higher!” Most of the voters were elderly people who flocked the polling stations minutes after they opened at 8am. Andreas Umland, an analyst with the Stockholm Center for Eastern European Studies, told Al Jazeera the Kremlin today does not have “illusions that somebody outside Russia” would trust the result of such a process.

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History of this topic

Is Russia plotting to divide Ukraine into 3 regions?
1 month ago

Is Russia plotting to divide Ukraine into 3 regions?

India Today  

The echoes of war grow louder in Eastern Europe, with chilling reports suggesting that Russia may be pursuing an audacious and deeply concerning strategy to reshape global power dynamics — and dismantle Ukraine in the process. The plan allegedly details an approach that could carve Ukraine into three distinct parts, fundamentally altering the nation’s sovereignty and its role on the …

Ukrainians living under Russian occupation are coerced to vote for Putin
9 months, 1 week ago

Ukrainians living under Russian occupation are coerced to vote for Putin

Associated Press  

Ukrainians living in regions illegally annexed by Russia are being coerced to vote in the presidential election of their wartime occupier, Vladimir Putin — an exercise denounced by Ukraine as an illegitimate effort by Moscow to tighten control over its neighbor. The Kremlin views the voting in occupied regions of Ukraine as a “test of loyalty” for civilians and local …

Russia plans presidential vote in annexed Ukrainian regions
1 year ago

Russia plans presidential vote in annexed Ukrainian regions

Al Jazeera  

The decision raises logistical and security challenges for Moscow because of its limited control in the four regions. Russia plans to run next year’s presidential election in the four regions of Ukraine that it annexed in 2022. Moscow’s ability to hold the election in what it calls its “new territories” is politically important for the Kremlin, but it raises logistical …

Local elections take place across Russia, but Ukraine is 'not on the agenda'
1 year, 3 months ago

Local elections take place across Russia, but Ukraine is 'not on the agenda'

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Local …

Russia holds elections in occupied Ukrainian regions in an effort to tighten its grip there
1 year, 3 months ago

Russia holds elections in occupied Ukrainian regions in an effort to tighten its grip there

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — Russian authorities are holding local elections this weekend in occupied parts of Ukraine in an effort to tighten their grip on territories Moscow illegally annexed a year ago and still does not fully control. U.N. Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca said the elections “have no legal grounds.” U.S. Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood called them ”nothing more than a …

Russia organizes elections in occupied Ukraine to tighten its grip
1 year, 3 months ago

Russia organizes elections in occupied Ukraine to tighten its grip

LA Times  

Russian authorities are holding local elections this weekend in occupied parts of Ukraine in an effort to tighten their grip on territories Moscow illegally annexed a year ago but still does not fully control. Ukrainian officials have urged other countries not to recognize the results of the vote, which the Foreign Ministry called “fake elections.” For Russia, it is important …

Russia holds elections denounced by Kyiv in occupied Ukrainian regions
1 year, 3 months ago

Russia holds elections denounced by Kyiv in occupied Ukrainian regions

Al Jazeera  

The voting begins in the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia and will be finished on Sunday. “For the last nine years, we’ve been striving to get closer with Russia, and Russian politicians are well-known to us,” Sergei, a 47-year-old resident of the occupied city of Luhansk, told The Associated Press news agency, asking that his last name be …

Russia’s Putin signs laws annexing occupied Ukrainian regions
2 years, 2 months ago

Russia’s Putin signs laws annexing occupied Ukrainian regions

Al Jazeera  

Vladimir Putin formalises a move that Ukraine and its Western allies have condemned as a meaningless ‘sham’. Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed laws to formally absorb four Ukrainian regions into Russia, following referendums in those areas that Kyiv and its Western allies called a meaningless “sham”. “Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed four federal constitutional laws on the entry …

Ukraine war updates: Russia retreats from a key city it just claimed to annex (Oct. 3)
2 years, 2 months ago

Ukraine war updates: Russia retreats from a key city it just claimed to annex (Oct. 3)

NPR  

Ukraine war updates: Russia retreats from a key city it just claimed to annex Enlarge this image toggle caption Anatolii Stepanov/AFP via Getty Images Anatolii Stepanov/AFP via Getty Images As the week begins, here's a look ahead and a roundup of key developments from the past week. What happened last week Sept. 26: The first troops called up in Russia's …

Ukrainians dismiss Russian attempt to annex more of their country
2 years, 2 months ago

Ukrainians dismiss Russian attempt to annex more of their country

Al Jazeera  

Everyday Ukrainians, officials, and many observers say Russia’s move is little more than a sham. Kyiv, Ukraine – “None of the people I know took part in the vote, and no one wants to find themselves in Russia.” That’s what Maksim, who has just fled the southern Ukrainian region of Zaporizhia, two-thirds of which have been occupied by Russia, told …

‘Wait and See’: Jaishankar on India’s position on Russian referendums in occupied Ukrainian territory
2 years, 2 months ago

‘Wait and See’: Jaishankar on India’s position on Russian referendums in occupied Ukrainian territory

The Hindu  

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar was non-committal on where India stood with regard to so-called ‘referendums’ Russia has organised in four occupied regions in Ukraine. When asked whether the so called referenda aid the cause of peace and conform to the U.N. Charter principles that India stood by as per his ddress to the United Nations General Assembly last week, …

Russia poised to annex occupied Ukraine after sham vote
2 years, 2 months ago

Russia poised to annex occupied Ukraine after sham vote

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — Russia positioned itself Wednesday to formally annex parts of Ukraine where occupied areas held a Kremlin-orchestrated “referendum” on living under Moscow’s rule that the Ukrainian government and the West denounced as illegal and rigged. “Regardless of Russia’s claims, this remains Ukrainian territory and Ukraine has every right to continue to fight for their full sovereignty,” said White …

Russia prepares to annex parts of Ukraine after referendums reportedly endorse Moscow rule
2 years, 2 months ago

Russia prepares to annex parts of Ukraine after referendums reportedly endorse Moscow rule

ABC  

Russia is poised to formally annex areas of Ukraine where it has military control after referendums there reportedly endorsed Moscow's rule. 'Annexation in the modern world is a crime' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia's attempts to annex Ukrainian territory will mean "there is nothing to talk about with this president of Russia". On Wednesday Ukraine said the Russian-staged votes …

EU slams Russia annexation ‘votes’ in four Ukraine regions
2 years, 2 months ago

EU slams Russia annexation ‘votes’ in four Ukraine regions

Al Jazeera  

Borrell, the bloc’s foreign policy chief, has denounced the ‘referendums’ and their falsified outcome. “ EU denounces holding of illegal ‘referenda’ and their falsified outcome,” the bloc’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Twitter. Kremlin-installed authorities in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhia, Russian-controlled regions that together make up about 15 percent of Ukraine’s landmass, claimed victory on Tuesday in …

What Happens After Russia's 'Referendums' in Ukraine?
2 years, 2 months ago

What Happens After Russia's 'Referendums' in Ukraine?

News 18  

Referendums held by the Kremlin-installed authorities in four occupied regions of Ukraine entered their final day on Tuesday. Russian parliament’s role If the regions vote to be annexed by Russia — which is a foregone conclusion — the Russian parliament, the State Duma, will approve a treaty formally incorporating the four regions into Russian territory. Over the weekend, Russian state …

What happens after Russia’s ’referendums’ in Ukraine?
2 years, 2 months ago

What happens after Russia’s ’referendums’ in Ukraine?

Live Mint  

Referendums held by the Kremlin-installed authorities in four occupied regions of Ukraine entered their final day on Tuesday. Russian parliament's role If the regions vote to be annexed by Russia -- which is a foregone conclusion -- the Russian parliament, the State Duma, will approve a treaty formally incorporating the four regions into Russian territory. Over the weekend, Russian state …

Russian forces have staged illegal ‘referendums’ in Ukraine. What comes next?
2 years, 2 months ago

Russian forces have staged illegal ‘referendums’ in Ukraine. What comes next?

CNN  

CNN — Pro-Russian authorities have held so-called referendums in four regions of Ukraine over recent days and, while the votes are illegal and have been universally dismissed as “a sham” by Ukraine and Western nations, there are fears that they could create a pretext for a new, dangerous stage in the war. That means the “votes” – and the bogus …

Ukraine war enters new phase as annexation votes draw to close
2 years, 2 months ago

Ukraine war enters new phase as annexation votes draw to close

Al Jazeera  

Russian media report high turnout in occupied regions as Kyiv promises to crack down on ‘traitors’ who assist votes. “In no way, certainly according to the Ukrainians, are these votes legitimate or do they represent any real kind of guide on what the people living in those occupied territories want,” said Al Jazeera’s Charles Stratford, reporting from Kyiv. Nuclear weapons …

Occupied regions of Ukraine vote to join Russia in staged referendums
2 years, 2 months ago

Occupied regions of Ukraine vote to join Russia in staged referendums

NPR  

Occupied regions of Ukraine vote to join Russia in staged referendums Enlarge this image toggle caption AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images KHARKIV AND ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine, and MOSCOW — Four Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine appeared to vote overwhelmingly in favor of joining the Russian Federation, according to Russian state media. Enlarge this image toggle caption AP AP On …

Ukrainians scared by Russia’s preordained referendums
2 years, 2 months ago

Ukrainians scared by Russia’s preordained referendums

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — After seven months of war, many Ukrainians fear even more suffering and political repression as referendums orchestrated by the Kremlin portend Russia’s imminent annexation of four occupied regions. “The situation is changing rapidly, and people fear that they will be hurt either by the Russian military, or Ukrainian guerrillas and the advancing Ukrainian troops,” Kobernik, 31, said …

Russia is holding referendums to claim more parts of Ukraine. The West says they are illegal shams — here's why
2 years, 3 months ago

Russia is holding referendums to claim more parts of Ukraine. The West says they are illegal shams — here's why

ABC  

Residents in four occupied regions of Ukraine are being pressured by their Russian-backed officials to vote in a self-styled referendum to classify parts of the country as Russian territory. Voting is taking place in self-styled Donetsk and the Luhansk People's Republics, which Mr Putin recognised as independent just before the invasion, and Russian-controlled areas of the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions …

Russia holds votes in 4 occupied regions of Ukraine, Kyiv says residents coerced
2 years, 3 months ago

Russia holds votes in 4 occupied regions of Ukraine, Kyiv says residents coerced

India Today  

Russia launched referendums on Friday aimed at annexing four occupied regions of Ukraine, drawing condemnation from Kyiv and Western nations who dismissed the votes as a sham and pledged not to recognise their results. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a nightly address that the votes would be "unequivocally condemned" by the world, along with the mobilisation Russia began this …

Russia holds breakaway polls in Ukraine
2 years, 3 months ago

Russia holds breakaway polls in Ukraine

The Hindu  

Moscow-held regions of Ukraine were voting Friday on whether to become part of Russia, in referendums that Kyiv and its allies have condemned as an unlawful land grab. Denis Pushilin, a pro-Russian separatist leader in the Donetsk region — which makes up part of the industrial Donbass region — said in a Telegram post that "Donbas is Russia". In Donetsk …

Unlawful Land Grab: Russia Holds Breakaway Referendum Polls in Four Regions of Ukraine
2 years, 3 months ago

Unlawful Land Grab: Russia Holds Breakaway Referendum Polls in Four Regions of Ukraine

News 18  

Moscow-held regions of Ukraine began voting Friday on whether to become part of Russia, in referendums that Kyiv and its allies have condemned as an unlawful land grab. ‘A farce’ In the eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions — already recognised as independent by Putin right before he launched the invasion in February — residents are answering if they support their …

Russia’s annexation referendums start in occupied Ukraine, say agencies
2 years, 3 months ago

Russia’s annexation referendums start in occupied Ukraine, say agencies

The Hindu  

Referendums on Russia’s annexation began on September 23, 2022 in Ukrainian territory controlled by Moscow, Russian news agencies reported, in what Kyiv and the West have denounced as a “sham” vote. Earlier, Moscow-held regions of Ukraine begin voting on whether to become part of Russia, in referendums that Kyiv and its allies have condemned as an unlawful land grab. "We …

4 Ukraine regions prepare to hold referendums to join Russia
2 years, 3 months ago

4 Ukraine regions prepare to hold referendums to join Russia

India Today  

Four areas of Ukraine controlled by Russia and pro-Moscow forces were preparing to hold referendums on Friday on joining Russia, a move widely condemned by the West as illegitimate and a precursor to illegal annexation. "If this is all declared Russia territory, they can declare that this is a direct attack on Russia so they can fight without any reservations," …

Four occupied Ukraine regions begin vote on joining Russia
2 years, 3 months ago

Four occupied Ukraine regions begin vote on joining Russia

Al Jazeera  

Referendums will continue until Tuesday and are seen as paving the way for Moscow’s annexation of the territories and an escalation of the war. “If this is all declared Russia territory, they can declare that this is a direct attack on Russia so they can fight without any reservations,” Luhansk regional governor Serhiy Haidai told Ukrainian TV. I’m afraid I …

Will Moscow-held regions of Ukraine become part of Russia? Referendum begins
2 years, 3 months ago

Will Moscow-held regions of Ukraine become part of Russia? Referendum begins

India TV News  

Highlights The separatist regions of Ukraine started voting on referendum to join Russia. Russia Ukraine news: The separatist or Moscow-held regions of Ukraine on Friday started voting on the referendum to join Russia. The development came two days after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the military mobilization of Russian citizens. The Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine had earlier declared …

Russia begins annexation vote, illegal under international law, in occupied Ukraine
2 years, 3 months ago

Russia begins annexation vote, illegal under international law, in occupied Ukraine

NPR  

Russia begins annexation vote, illegal under international law, in occupied Ukraine Enlarge this image toggle caption Claire Harbage/NPR Claire Harbage/NPR ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine — A long line of cars pulls into the parking lot of a home goods store set up as a makeshift welcome center. Enlarge this image toggle caption Claire Harbage/NPR Claire Harbage/NPR Controversial Russian referendums have begun in …

EXPLAINER: What’s behind referendums in occupied Ukraine?
2 years, 3 months ago

EXPLAINER: What’s behind referendums in occupied Ukraine?

Associated Press  

Four occupied regions in Ukraine are set to start voting Friday in Kremlin-engineered referendums on whether to become part of Russia, setting the stage for Moscow to annex the areas in a sharp escalation of the nearly seven-month war. On Tuesday, authorities in the separatist Luhansk and Donetsk regions that make up Ukraine’s eastern industrial heartland known as the Donbas …

Zelenskyy vows Ukraine will win as Russia redoubles effort
2 years, 3 months ago

Zelenskyy vows Ukraine will win as Russia redoubles effort

Associated Press  

UNITED NATIONS — Ukraine’s president implored the world Wednesday to punish Russia for its invasion, even as the leader vowed his forces would win back every inch of territory despite Moscow’s decision to redouble its war effort. In a much-anticipated video address to the U.N. General Assembly hours after Russia announced it would mobilize some reservists, Volodymyr Zelenskyy portrayed the …

Four Ukrainian regions controlled by Russian-backed separatists request referendum to join Russia
2 years, 3 months ago

Four Ukrainian regions controlled by Russian-backed separatists request referendum to join Russia

ABC  

Russia has given support to plans by separatists which it backs in Ukraine to hold referendums, paving the way for the annexation of swathes of additional territory in a direct challenge to the West that could sharply escalate the conflict. Key points: Four separatist-held Ukrainian regions have requested referendums to join Russia The votes could allow Moscow to annex 15 …

4 Ukrainian regions schedule votes this week to join Russia
2 years, 3 months ago

4 Ukrainian regions schedule votes this week to join Russia

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — Russian-controlled regions of eastern and southern Ukraine announced plans Tuesday to start voting this week to become integral parts of Russia. “It’s an act of desperation for Russia, but it is not going to help them.” U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the United States would “never recognize this territory as anything other than part of …

4 Ukrainian separatist regions plan votes to join Russia
2 years, 3 months ago

4 Ukrainian separatist regions plan votes to join Russia

The Hindu  

The separatist leaders of four Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine said on Tuesday they were planning to hold votes starting later this week for the territories to become part of Russia as Moscow loses ground in the war it launched. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev also said that folding Luhansk and Donetsk in eastern Ukraine into Russia itself would make their …

Four Ukrainian separatist regions plan votes to join Russia
2 years, 3 months ago

Four Ukrainian separatist regions plan votes to join Russia

India TV News  

Russia-Ukraine war: Russian-controlled regions of eastern and southern Ukraine announced plans Tuesday to start voting this week to become integral parts of Russia. Former President Dmitry Medvedev said folding regions into Russia itself would make redrawn frontiers "irreversible" and enable Moscow to use "any means" to defend them. Pressure within Russia and from Moscow-backed leaders in Russian-controlled regions of Ukraine …

Understanding Russia’s referendums in Ukraine
2 years, 3 months ago

Understanding Russia’s referendums in Ukraine

Al Jazeera  

The Kremlin has used the tactic before as it held a hastily called referendum in Ukraine’s Crimea region in 2014. On Tuesday, authorities in the separatist Luhansk and Donetsk regions that make up Ukraine’s eastern industrial heartland known as the Donbas abruptly announced that referendums on joining Russia. As Moscow goes ahead with the referendums and includes the four regions …

Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine plan annexation votes
2 years, 3 months ago

Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine plan annexation votes

Al Jazeera  

Ukraine and its allies condemn plans for referendums amid concern it risks an escalation of the seven month crisis that began with Russia’s invasion. Ukraine has every right to liberate its territories and will keep liberating them whatever Russia has to say.” Votes will take place in the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk republics of the Donbas region, which Russian President …

Russia-Ukraine latest: Ukraine officially an EU candidate
2 years, 6 months ago

Russia-Ukraine latest: Ukraine officially an EU candidate

Al Jazeera  

‘Today marks a crucial step on your path towards the EU’: President of the European Council Charles Michel. 23 Jun 2022 - 20:09 GMT Kyiv files case against Russia at the European Court of Human Rights Kyiv said it has formally filed a case against Russia at the European Court of Human Rights to end “the mass and gross human …

‘Never going to happen’: Ukraine blasts trading land for peace
2 years, 6 months ago

‘Never going to happen’: Ukraine blasts trading land for peace

Al Jazeera  

Ukrainian officials angrily rebuff suggestions that Kyiv should cede territory to Russia in an effort to secure a peace deal. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy angrily denounced suggestions that Ukraine should cede control of territory to Russia in order to reach a peace agreement, comparing such a move with the appeasement of Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Germany. “Whatever the Russian state does, you …

Occupied Ukrainian city fears sham Russian referendum plans
2 years, 7 months ago

Occupied Ukrainian city fears sham Russian referendum plans

Associated Press  

LVIV, Ukraine — Ever since Russian forces took the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson in early March, residents sensed the occupiers had a special plan for their town. Kherson now suffers from a severe shortage of medicine, cash, dairy and other food products, and Ukrainian officials warn the region could face a “humanitarian catastrophe.” Russia has blocked all humanitarian assistance …

Occupied Ukrainian city fears sham Russian referendum plans
2 years, 7 months ago

Occupied Ukrainian city fears sham Russian referendum plans

Associated Press  

LVIV, Ukraine — Ever since Russian forces took the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson in early March, residents sensed the occupiers had a special plan for their town. Residents believe Russian troops have not yet besieged or terrorized the city — as they did in Bucha and Mariupol — because they are planning to hold a referendum to create a …

Russia plans a ‘Korean scenario’ for Ukraine: Intelligence chief
2 years, 8 months ago

Russia plans a ‘Korean scenario’ for Ukraine: Intelligence chief

Al Jazeera  

Ukraine’s military intelligence chief says Russia will try to divide Ukraine into two separate regions as the Russian advance on Kyiv stalls. Russia is considering “a Korean scenario” for Ukraine and splitting the country in two after failing to seize the capital Kyiv and overthrow its government, the Ukrainian military intelligence chief has said. “The occupiers will try to unite …

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