Putin's proxies declare victory in Ukraine referendums; Russia to annex in Oct?

Amid Russia's special operation in Ukraine, a fresh headache is brewing for the war-torn nation and the west. The Kremlin has claimed victory in the recently concluded referendum in four Ukrainian regions. Reuters reported that according to Russia-installed election officials, 93% of the ballots cast in the Zaporizhzhya region supported annexation, as did 87% in the Kherson region, 98% in the Luhansk region and 99% in Donetsk. The annexation of the four regions will likely begin on October 4. Russian President Vladimir Putin has remained defiant and said that the vote was to save the people in those regions. However, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has slammed Russia and called out the 'sham' referendum. #russia #ukraine #referendum #annexation #vote #ukrainerussiawar #vladimirputin #west #sanctions #usa #donetsk #luhansk #zaporizhzhya #kherson #unitedstates #volodymyrzelenskyy