Status: 09/20/2022 3:41 p.m
The Russian administrators in the eastern Ukrainian regions of Luhansk and Donetsk want to vote on accession to Russia in September. The “referendums” are not recognized internationally, and Ukraine speaks of blackmail.
The self-proclaimed “People’s Republics” of Luhansk and Donetsk in eastern Ukraine want to have a controversial vote on joining the Russian Federation this week. This was announced by the regions.
Votes later this week
The votes, which are not recognized by either Ukraine or the international community, are scheduled to be held from September 23 to 27 and are a reaction to the current Ukrainian counter-offensive in the east of the country.
Ina Ruck, ARD Moscow, with information on Russian referenda in Ukrainian regions
Tagesschau 3:00 p.m., 20.9.2022
Earlier, the Russian-installed military administrators in Luhansk announced that they had passed a law to hold such a “referendum”.
The Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, ex-President Dmitry Medvedev, had previously said that Russia’s annexation of the Donbass could strengthen the Russian military offensive in Ukraine. “Entering Russian territory is a crime,” Medvedev wrote in online networks. Moscow could “use all means of self-defense” to defend itself, he emphasized.
After his statements about the “referendums”, Medvedev received immediate support from the President of the Russian House of Commons. Vyacheslav Volodin told the deputies: “If the residents of Donbas speak freely to be part of Russia, we will support them.”
Shaded in white: advance of the Russian army. Shaded in green: Russian-backed separatist areas. Crimea: annexed by Russia.
Image: ISW/09/19/2022
Russian state media, citing the administrators appointed by the Russian occupiers in the Cherson region and the Zaporizhia region, reported that “referendums” on the annexation to Russia are also to be held there.
Cherson also mentions the end of September as a period
In Cherson, the occupation head of government Vladimir Saldo is said to have asked Russia for help in holding such a “referendum,” writes the Russian agency Ria Novosti. The period from September 23rd to 27th is also set here.
According to the Ria Novosti agency, Zaporizhia said that such a “referendum” could only take place “on liberated territory” – meaning on territory conquered by Russia. In the city of Zaporizhia itself, no “referendum” is planned for the time being. It remains under the control of Ukraine.
Ukraine wants to respond with violence
Ukraine announced a violent response. “Ukraine will settle the Russian question. The threat can only be averted with violence,” said the head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak, on the Messenger service Telegram. The announcement of the referendums was “blackmail” by Moscow, which was driven by the “fear of defeat” in view of the Ukrainian gains in territory.