Disinfo: The Donbass republics, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, voted overwhelmingly in favour of joining Russia

Summary

In referendums held at the end of September, the two Donbass republics, as well as the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, voted overwhelmingly in favour of joining Russia. On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law the unification treaties with the former Ukrainian territories, which officially became part of Russia.

Disproof

Pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative on the invasion of Ukraine and sham referenda on occupied Ukrainian territories aiming at justifying the annexation of Ukrainian territories.

Russia has held illegal referenda on four occupied oblasts of Ukraine (Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson) on September 23-26. Russia does not fully control the territories where so-called referendums are taking place.

As stated EU High Representative Josep Borrell:

“The European Union strongly condemns these planned illegal “referenda” which go against the legal and democratically elected Ukrainian authorities, are in violation of Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and in blatant breach of international law. The results of such actions will be null and void and would not be recognised by the EU and its Member States. [...]

Therefore, these illegal “votes” cannot be considered under any circumstance as the free expression of the will of the people living in these regions under constant Russian military threat and intimidation".

See also this tweet by HR/VP Borrell stating that the announced annexation of Ukrainian territories by Russia is a major breach of international law and a violation of UN Charter.

These parodies of democracy were also condemned by NATO, G7, US, as well as Russia’ partners like Serbia and Kazakhstan (a member of CIS and CSTO), which also mentioned that they will not recognise their results.

See also a similar disinformation claims alleging that Kherson residents want to join Russia in a referendum.

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oroszhirek.hu (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 312
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 07/10/2022
  • Article language(s) Hungarian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Russia, Ukraine
  • Keywords: Donbas, Kherson, Invasion of Ukraine, Manipulated elections/referendum, Referendum
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