Referendums begin in four regions of Ukraine controlled by Russia
Referendums have begun in at least four regions of Russian-controlled Ukraine to join Russia. Pro-Moscow separatists launched referendums in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia on Friday (September 23). The referendum will continue until Tuesday (September 27). Al-Jazeera news.
Although pro-Russian separatists organized the referendum, it is seen as a Russian initiative. Because this referendum has the support of the country's government. Ukraine and its Western allies say Russia's move is a gross violation of international law. This will intensify the war.
Russian forces launched an attack on Ukraine on the orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24. This war has been going on for seven months. Earlier this month, Russian forces retreated from Izium in the northeastern province of Kharkiv.
Soon after, the Moscow-backed leaders of these four Russian-controlled regions decided to hold a referendum to join Russia. The area of these four regions is about 15 percent of the total territory of Ukraine.
Russian authorities have backed the referendum. The results are likely to be announced soon after the referendum continues till Tuesday (September 27). If the result of the referendum is in favor, Putin will decide to join the four regions with Russia.
Meanwhile, the fighting in these four regions has intensified. In the meantime, Dmitry Medvedev, the former president of Russia and currently the deputy chairman of the National Security Council, has warned that nuclear weapons will be used if necessary to maintain control of the occupied territories.
He said on Thursday (September 22) that anything from strategic nuclear weapons to whatever weapons Moscow has in its arsenal could be used to hold territory seized from Ukraine. Since the beginning of the conflict with Ukraine, Moscow has been threatening to use nuclear weapons.
He said Moscow-appointed authorities in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory would hold a referendum on joining Russia. There is no retreat. He also said that Donetsk and Luhansk republics and other regions will accept Russia.
Plans for four Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine have emerged as a new challenge for Western countries. It is feared that this decision of the regions may increase the intensity of the conflict in Ukraine many times.
Ukraine and its Western allies have condemned the referendum plan. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba said, 'Let Russia do whatever they want. Ukraine has the right to liberate its territories and we will liberate them no matter what Russia says.'
