The desire for a quick referendum is totally based on Russian law on the use of conscripts. They cannot be used outside of Russia unless Russia has been attacked or there is an actual war.
The purpose of these areas becoming part of Russia is that they can dramatically increase forces by bringing conscripts into those regions.
Russia is preparing an escalation which requires more troops.
Russia is losing so they need more troops. They so badly miscalculated with regard to their own capabilities, Ukrainian capabilities and will, and the western international response.
Neocons baited Putin straight into this tarbaby and there is no clean way out for him.
Russia is preparing an escalation which requires more troops
I suspect you are correct even as I pray this is not true.
What a mess and it increases the possibility of escalation beyond Ukraine.
Putin can not survive a defeat nor can he achieve victory with his present forces.
This is a very dangerous situation for Putin who controls the most nuclear weapons and the West seems eager to play “nuclear chicken” with a desperate corruptocrat who does not appear well.
The human cost of this is sickening and it’s a Pyrrhic victory at best.