Hasty Russian referendums in captured regions

Voting has commenced in Russian-occupied regions of eastern Ukraine to decide their fate. Will they officially become part of Russia? The referendums have been condemned and regarded as illegitimate by Ukraine and its allies. The referendums are seen as paving the way for Moscow to formally annex nearly 15% of Ukrainian territory.

The announcement of the referendums came swiftly after a lightning counteroffensive from Ukraine, in recapturing parts of Kharkiv. Russia had occupied the territory since it invaded in February.

SELF-PROCLAIMED INDEPENDENCE

Russia currently holds four main territories; Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhia. The former two regions have proclaimed themselves as independent republics, and are controlled by Russian-backed separatists.

Voting will continue until September 27th.

Votes will be scratched on traditional paper ballots due to short deadlines and a lack of technical equipment. Authorities are also set to physically visit residents, collecting votes. Polling stations will only open on the final day of voting.

The entire voting process is seen as a major escalation in the war. Mainly because should these territories agree to be incorporated – Moscow will have the backing to claim its territories are under attack from Western weapons supplied to Ukraine.

A SIGN OF WEAKNESS

Ukraine deemed the referendum as a sign of Russia’s weakness rather than its strength.

Russia holds most of Luhansk and Kherson, even if it has begun to lose ground. 80% of Zaporizhia is under Russian control. Only 60% of Donetsk has been occupied, but often finds itself at the heart of the conflict.

Following the announcement of the referendum, Putin made a public order to partially mobilise more troops to Ukraine to bolster its ranks. He also declared that he is ready to use nuclear weapons to fend off counter attacks. Alarmingly, Russia’s Security Council Dmitry Medvedev confirmed this possible threat.

“Of interest to us are strictly the tasks before us. This is the liberation of our country, defending our people and mobilising world support [public opinion] to carry out those tasks,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Kyiv has reaffirmed its belief that in any event, nothing will change. Its forces will continue to push to liberate the territories.

PUTIN PUSHED INTO WAR

According to the Italian premier ad personal friend of Putin, Silvio Berlusconi, the Russian president was pushed into going to war with Ukraine. He further dismissed Putin’s warmongering ideas following his threats to use nuclear weapons following Ukraine’s recapturing of territories.

“Putin was pushed by the Russian people, by his party, by his ministers to invent this special operation,” Berlusconi said.

READ MORE: Let’s decode Russia’s war

Across the world, the United Nations and other world leader have condemned the referendums. This group includes French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Liz Truss. International bodies such as NATO and the European Union confidently support Ukraine’s fight against Russia.

US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken says that a ‘dangerous escalation’ is eminent in the European war. He also reaffirmed the States’ decision that no Russian claim to Ukrainian territory will take away from its right to defend itself.

Even the supposed mediator in the war, Turkiye, has condemned the illegitimate voting.