Russia has begun going door-to-door in occupied Ukraine to conduct a referendum — illegal under international law — that could pave the way for the Kremlin to annex parts of the country. 'How can you vote when they have guns?' one woman asked as she fled.
People from Russian-occupied places like Melitopol and Kherson arrive in a convoy of cars to the parking lot of a home goods store set up as a makeshift welcome center in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine.People from Russian-occupied places like Melitopol and Kherson arrive in a convoy of cars to the parking lot of a home goods store set up as a makeshift welcome center in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine.
Viktoria and Anatoli Yermoleny left Melitopol with their dog on Thursday after hearing about the referendums.Viktoria and Anatoli Yermoleny left Melitopol with their dog on Thursday after hearing about the referendums.Controversial Russian referendums have begun in the Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson — some of which are only partially controlled by Russia.
People arrive at a parking lot in Zaporizhzhia from places like Melitopol and Kherson, areas that have been occupied by Russia for months now.People arrive at a parking lot in Zaporizhzhia from places like Melitopol and Kherson, areas that have been occupied by Russia for months now.Russian news outlets confirmed that door-to-door voting is how most of the referendums would be held.
But she said even pro-Russian support is waning dramatically."With this war, many people have realized what Russia really is," she said.The referendums come alongside President Vladimir Putin's recent announcement of the mobilization of hundreds of thousands of Russians, which has set off significant protests in Russia.
"I tried to demand that they tell me why he was being sent back, and they said it was because he would fight for Ukraine if they let him pass," said Ablamit, 62.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Zelenskyy: Russia frees 215 Ukrainians, others in exchangeThe first such call-up in Russia since World War II heightened tensions with Ukraine’s Western backers, who derided it as an act of weakness and desperation.
Read more »
Russia to begin annexation votes in Ukrainian regionsRussia will on Friday begin its plan to annex around 15% of Ukrainian territory via referendums in four regions controlled by Russian forces, a move the West says is a gross violation of international law that significantly escalates the war.
Read more »
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to UN: Russia not serious about ending warUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested Wednesday that Russia’s decision to mobilize some reservists showed that Moscow isn’t serious about negotiating an end to its nearly seven-month-long war.
Read more »
'Thousands' of Ukrainian children forcibly deported to Russia in July, US security official saysA U.S. official said Washington has information showing that thousands of children were forcibly deported from Ukraine to Russia in July.
Read more »
Kremlin proxies stage referendums as Russia aims to seize Ukrainian landKremlin proxy authorities in occupied, war-torn Ukraine on Friday declared that “voting” had begun in staged referendums, and that Moscow’s desired outcome — a claim of public support for the annexation of Ukrainian territory — was assured.
Read more »
What to know about 'referendums' announced in Ukraine 'republics' to join RussiaA so-called 'referendum' to join Russia announced by pro-Russian authorities of the Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic in eastern Ukraine has raised alarm bells globally.
Read more »