Russian-based separatists in the Donetsk People’s Republic in eastern Ukraine will organize a referendum on joining Russia from September 23-27, the Interfax news agency reported on Tuesday, citing local officials.
The separatist Luhansk People’s Republic also said on Tuesday that it intends to hold a referendum on joining Russia on the same dates.
“The People’s Council establishes that the voting days in the referendum will be from September 23 to 27,” announced Denis Miroshnichenko, president of the pro-Russian legislature in Lugansk, according to the information center of the Republic of Donbas in his Telegram account.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has already recognized the independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, shortly before launching his offensive in Ukraine on February 24. Its integration into Russia would mean an escalation in the ongoing conflict.
Also Kherson, a region in the south of Ukraine and occupied by Russia shortly after the invasion of February 24, announced the holding of a referendum on the same dates.
Ukraine responded immediately, promising to “liquidate” the Russian “threat” on Tuesday, shortly after the announcement of referendums this week to join Russia.
“Ukraine is going to solve the Russian question. The threat can only be liquidated by force,” the head of the Ukrainian presidential administration, Andrii Yermak, wrote on Telegram, denouncing “blackmail” by Moscow motivated by “fear of defeat”.
Pro-Russian separatists already took control of Donetsk and Luhansk in 2014, with the support of Moscow. That same year, Russia annexed the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea, an operation that was confirmed by a referendum preceded by a military intervention, and which is denounced as illegal by kyiv and by Westerners.
In addition to the Donetsk and Lugansk regions, the pro-Moscow authorities in several areas occupied by the Russians since the launch of the offensive against Ukraine have also announced their intention to organize annexation referendums.
With information from AFP, Reuters and EFE
