separatist areas
Referenda for Russia’s accession in Luhansk and Donetsk
A flag of the internationally unrecognized People’s Republic of Donetsk – the region is to vote in a referendum on joining Russia. photo
© Alexei Alexandrov/AP/dpa
Referendums on joining Russia are to be held in eastern Ukraine this week as a reaction to the Ukrainian counter-offensive.
Separatist leaders in the contested regions of Luhansk and Donetsk in eastern Ukraine have scheduled contentious referendums on accession to Russia. The votes are to be held from September 23 to 27, the head of the Luhansk separatist parliament, Denis Miroshnichenko, said on Tuesday, according to the Interfax news agency, and shortly afterwards the Donetsk People’s Assembly.
The simultaneous referendums are seen as a reaction to the current Ukrainian counter-offensive in the east of the country.