DISINFO: The referendums in Eastern Ukraine were completely transparent and legitimate
SUMMARY
The referendum results in Donetsk and Luhansk republics – as well as Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions – are more than convincing, completely transparent, legitimate and not subject to any doubt.
RESPONSE
Pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative on the invasion of Ukraine and sham referendums in occupied Ukrainian territories aiming at justifying the annexation of Ukrainian territories. This claim was neither counterbalanced nor critically challenged in the article.
Russia has held illegal referendums 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’s 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 The "referenda" in eastern Ukraine done with the same legal norms as in France, that referendums in Donbas, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia were legal and in accordance with international law, that pro-Russian referendums in Ukraine are valid with no violations, that Donbas referendums prove that Russia respects international law, and that Kherson residents want to join Russia.