Occupied regions of Ukraine vote to join Russia in staged referendums

[speak easy]

Source: NPR

KHARKIV AND ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine, and MOSCOW — Four Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine appeared to vote overwhelmingly in favor of joining the Russian Federation, according to early returns reported by Russian state media. Ukraine and its international partners have dismissed the highly controversial referendums as shams and a violation of international law.

The Russian-run referendum votes took place over five days, from Sept. 23 through Sept. 27, despite international outrage.

The referendums are widely viewed as an initial Kremlin move toward formal Russian annexation of the territories, even as the exact timetable remains unclear.

With around 15% of the vote counted, preliminary results reported Tuesday by Russian state media showed well over 97% voting in favor of the measure in all the regions.

Read more: https://www.npr.org/2022/09/27/1125322026/russia-ukraine-referendums

---

Nato denounces 'referendums' in occupied Ukrainian territories as 'sham' and 'violation of international law'

The Moscow organised votes in four occupied regions in Ukraine on annexation by Russia are a “sham” and “a blatant violation of international law,” NATO’s chief Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday.

Stoltenberg tweeted that he spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “and made clear that NATO Allies are unwavering in our support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and right to self-defence”.

“The sham referenda held by Russia have no legitimacy and are a blatant violation of international law. These lands are Ukraine,” Stoltenberg said.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/sep/27/russia-ukraine-war-live-news-voting-in-sham-referendums-due-to-end-japanese-consul-interrogated-in-russia

[Lonestarblue]

1. No surprise here. That vote was a done deal before people voted.

No one will recognize Russia’s annexation, especially Ukraine, so it solves nothing. Putin is still grandstanding.

[C_U_L8R]

2. Why'd they even bother with the rigged vote?

No one believes them anyway.

[keopeli]

3. A vote of 97% in favor is ALWAYS a rigged vote. That just doesn't happen.

These dictators who do this want people to think they are supported by EVERYONE! That is NEVER the case, ever, anywhere. Mickey Mouse could not get a 97% vote, much less a thug. Why don't they make it like a 60/40 vote to make it seem more authentic? Because a dictator's ego could never accept that s/he's unliked by 40% of the people - not even 10%! Crazy is as crazy does.

[Lovie777]

4. It will be ignored by Ukraine since that is their territories including Crimea ...

Groups of conscripts are coming unto Crimea, no training. Russians fleeing know that many are meat grinding for Putin because he does not give a shit.

[LudwigPastorius]

5. They only pulled 97%...not 100%?

Well, it must have been fair then. /s

[867-5309.]

6. This would allow Putin to 'lawfully' use nuclear weapons

Sham vote, but scary.

[prodigitalson]

7. Like their Soviet predecessors, the Russian government can't even come up with even

remotely plausible fake margins. I guessed 97 percent exactly. Wish I had known a bookie taking bets on it.

[Beastly Boy]

8. As Stalin used to say,

It doesn't matter who votes, all that matters is who counts the votes.