Russian government officials and top pro-Russian militant leaders declared a majority of votes in favor of referendums held in four Russian-controlled provinces on whether to join Russia. UN Secretary-General António Guterres denounced the vote as a “violation of the UN Charter and international law”.
Former Russian President Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Security Council, said on social media Telegram on Monday that the vote had ended, adding that “the result is clear” and “welcome to Russia”.
Denis Pushlin, head of the pro-Russian militant group Donetsk People’s Republic, said in a Telegram post that the count of the province had been completed, with 99.23% voting in favor of joining Russia. Russia’s state-run news agency RIA Novosti reported that the three provinces of Kherson, Zaporizhia and Luhansk also recorded overwhelming support.
None of the four provinces where the ballot was cast is under full Russian control and fighting continues.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has denied Russia’s vote results in a Facebook post. “Russia’s many criminal acts will not change anything in Ukraine,” he said.
news-rsf-original-reference paywall">Original title:
news-rsf-original-reference paywall">Russia Declares Victory in Sham Ukraine ‘Referendums’(excerpt)