If you’re just joining us, here’s what you need to know about Tuesday’s developments in Russia’s war in Ukraine. While previous plans for such a vote have been delayed, there has been a flurry of announcements from various Russian-backed officials in occupied territories in Ukraine — all set for a September 23-27 vote. Kherson: The Russian-backed head of the Kherson administration, Vladimir Saldo, said he “signed a decree” on the referendum, which also defined the procedure for organizing the vote and “administrative and criminal liability measures for violating these rules.” Parts of Kherson are on the front line between Ukrainian and Russian forces. People’s Republic of Luhansk: Law for a referendum was also signed by the leader of the self-proclaimed People’s Republic of Luhansk, Leonid Pasechnik. According to the text, “the Central Electoral Commission of the LPR will determine the results of the referendum on the entry of the Republic into the LPR no later than five days after the last day of voting,” according to the local media portal Lug-Info. Donetsk People’s Republic: The self-proclaimed DPR has agreed to hold a referendum, and its leader said he has written a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, asking him to quickly join the republic in the Russian Federation once a referendum is held. Zaporizhzhia: The so-called National Citizens’ Congress of the Zaporizhzhia Region has approved a referendum, said Vladimir Rogov, a senior pro-Russian official in occupied Zaporizhzhia. “Technically we are ready. The security of the election centers is ensured. Our borders are reliably protected by the Russian army,” said Yevgeniy Balitskiy, the Russian-appointed head of the Zaporizhzhia regional administration. Ukrainian response: Ukrainian officials condemned these announcements. The foreign ministry said the “fake referendums” would not change the “administrative-territorial structure and internationally recognized borders of Ukraine”. The ministry called the vote “forced citizenship” of residents and said it was “another attempt by Russia to legitimize the consequences of its aggressive war against Ukraine.” Russian response: The announcements were quickly supported by Russian politicians. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev publicly endorsed the referendums in the self-proclaimed Donbass republics, saying they would be of “tremendous importance” for the “systemic protection” of residents. “Neither a future leader of Russia, nor an official will be able to reverse these decisions,” he added. US response: The Pentagon said the announcements are “simply an information operation intended to distract attention from the difficult situation in which the Russian military is currently”. US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield also condemned the moves on Tuesday.
