Kyiv vows to use force against breakaway regions

Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions to hold a referendum from Sep 23-27

Ukrainians from the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions have said that they will hold referendums on joining Russia from September 23 to 27.

Head of the Luhansk People’s Republic, Leonid Pasechnik was the first to sign a law on “holding a public referendum in the republic on the inclusion of the region into the Russian Federation,” after its parliament unanimously supported the move and set a date for the vote.

LPR’s decision was soon followed by Donetsk People’s Republic leader Denis Pushilin, who declared that his state would also be holding a similar referendum on the same date. Pushilin said he had already introduced the relevant legislation in the DPR’s parliament.

Pushilin also said that,“The long-suffering people of Donbas deserve to be part of the Great Country, which they always considered their Motherland.”

Donbas region was recognised as independent by Russian President Vladimir Putin shortly before sending troops to Ukraine in February.

The referendum will also be held in the southern Kherson region and the partly Russian-controlled Zaporizhia region.

The head of the Kherson region,Vladimir Saldo, said that the entry of the Kherson region into the Russian Federation will secure our territory and restore historical justice.He also said that it was a “necessary decision in the face of constant acts of terror by the armed forces of Ukraine and NATO member countries that supply weapons to kill civilians on our soil”.

The head of the Zaporizhia, Yevgeny Balitsky, also said that he has signed an order on the holding of a referendum on the territorial allegiance of the region from September 23 to 27.

Shortly after these announcement of referendum, the head of Russia’s parliament has also said that Moscow will support the regions joining Russia.

Meanwhile,It is believed that the annexation of Ukrainian regions into Russia would significantly escalate the war between Russia and Ukraine, as Kyiv has announced to use force against the breakaway regions.

Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Irina Vereshchuk has said that any person who takes part in referendum could be sent to prison for up to 12 years.