Russia holds ‘referendums’ in occupied regions of Ukraine - BBC News

Russian-backed officials in four occupied regions of Ukraine are holding self-styled referendums on joining Russia.

Denounced as illegitimate and a sham by Ukraine and the West, these so-called votes are taking place over five days while all four areas - two in the east and two in the south - are on the front line.

An annexation could lead to a claim by Russia that its territory is coming under attack from Western weapons supplied to Ukraine.

#Russia #Ukraine #BBCNews

[tz]

It's not a referendum when the invading force drives away most of the anti-occupation population (7 million refugees and counting) intimidates the rest, leaving only sympathizers while bringing ethnic Russians with the occupation force who immediately get right to vote although they are not native to the region (remember the Crimean referendum where even journalists with temporary residency permits were allowed to vote). The refuges who were forced to flee are still the only rightful voters that hope to return to their homes once the fighting ends.

[Halcon_Sierreno]

I wonder if the results will come back 100%, 105%, or 2, 000% in favor of joining Russia. 🤔

[arunrocks]

You should title it as “illegal referendum when most of the people left those regions”

[anonymous-lpbc]

Will russia decide on getting 100% favorable votes or will it limit itself to having just 99.99% favorable votes? 🤔

[kronniichiwa]

It's not a Referendum it's a special voting event.

[blacksmith]

I held the referendum in my neighbor's garden and I just voted and got it.

[dimitarpetkov]

Putin: We will hold a fair referendum to free the citizens.
Psychiatrist: Is the Referendum with us in the room now?

[elephantintheroom]

NATO should hold a referendum in Russia on whether Russians want to stay under Putin's regime, or become part of the European Union. See whether the Putin regime "recognises" that.

[sevasthvostanski]

if I remember correctly that the free world initiated a referendum of ethnic Albanians about 20 years ago on the territory of the province in Serbia, as far as I remember the name of the province is Kosovo, I need clarification on what the difference is.thanks

[eternalskeptic]

In other news, Putin has now declared the entire world as Russian territory...

[titteryenot]

Russia holds referendums in occupied areas of Ukraine. How about Ukraine initiates referendums about returning Kaliningrad to Germany, Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands to Japan, Kazan to Tatar, Karelia to Finland, Siberia to Yakuts, Transnistria to Moldova, and everything situated east of the Ural mountains to the indigenous peoples.

[benben]

Russia doesn't need anyone to recognise the liberated regions.The fact is Russia will protect its citizens who have suffered Ukrainian shelling for 8 years something that western mainstream will never show us.

[fgrfish]

WHY would ANYONE want to live under a dictator who puts you in prison and tortures you if you have a different opinion???

[pbelheu]

End it quickly, dont let them prepare, throw them out not push them

[Robert_Douglass]

That was fast. I expected a couple more days at least before this. Putin's accelerating his timetable.

[Soldmysoulforablurayplayer]

Rudy Giuliani is going to announce a press conference outside a downtown fishing bait shop in Donetsk to announce the results.

[harrisonhonda]

Hi just wanted to know how the sanctions are going in regards to Crimea, did they work, did Russia step back?

[fornonplayers]

yeah in 2014 nobody cared, now suddenly everyone cares... welcome to this clown world

[LoriAW]

Putin needs to take the L.
It's just getting embarrassing at this point

[fatmatadavid]

There is no need for international community to recognise this