Four occupied Ukraine regions plan imminent ‘votes’ on joining Russia

The Guardian ^ | Sept 20, 2022 | Andrew Roth

[McGruff]

Four Russian-occupied regions in Ukraine have said they are planning to hold “referendums” on joining the Russian Federation in a series of coordinated announcements that could indicate the Kremlin has made a decision to formally annex the territories.

Moscow may be betting that a formal annexation would help halt Russian territorial losses, after a successful Ukrainian counteroffensive that has reclaimed large portions of territory in the Kharkiv region.

The occupied Donetsk and Luhansk regions have said they are ready to hold “polls”, which will be universally viewed as rigged, as soon as this week, with announcements also made in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Some Russian media have reported that Vladimir Putin may deliver a speech on Tuesday evening on a potential annexation.

[PGR88]

Is dominion supplying the voting machines?

[Red Badger]

With electronic voting machines, no doubt...................

[cranked]

Nah, Kyiv is.....

[BobL]

“...that could indicate the Kremlin has made a decision to formally annex the territories.”

...more like “allowing them to join their own people”, assuming the vote is a ‘yes’.

[lee martell]

Is this going to be an offer they can’t refuse?

[Theoria]

'Some Russian media have reported that Vladimir Putin may deliver a speech on Tuesday evening on a potential annexation.'

The smo gets the upgrade, huh? Wonder how the markets react to this overnight leading into fomc. Joy.

[P-Marlowe]

Isn’t questioning an election a threat to democracy?

[BobL]

“Is this going to be an offer they can’t refuse?”

Actually, getting out from living under the Azov’s is a dream come true for most of the people there.

[marcusmaximus]

Referendums will be vote by mail and online voting. Russian Duma voted today to immediately recognize the referendum votes without delay.

[mylife]

Oh dear

[DoughtyOne]

Russia is planing those events.

Of course the world will hear it was the people demanding it.

And of course the vote will go over 98% to prove it.

[Petrosius]

...more like “allowing them to join their own people”, assuming the vote is a ‘yes’.

How is that since these territories have majority Ukrainian populations?

[BobL]

“How is that since these territories have majority Ukrainian populations?”

Not based on their prior voting patterns - those areas always vote pro-Russian.

[Petrosius]

Not based on their prior voting patterns - those areas always vote pro-Russian.

You mean the regions that voted 83-90% for independence from Russia 1991 and who in a poll in 2014 opposed unification with Russia between 52-85%? Those regions?

[Jan_Sobieski]

You mean the regions that voted 83-90% for independence from Russia 1991 and who in a poll in 2014 opposed unification with Russia between 52-85%? Those regions?

You mean those regions who have had their language outlawed and been attacked for 8 years by Kiev? The ones who were disenfranchised in the 2014 Revolution? I would expect they would want to join Russia

[Petrosius]

Not based on their prior voting patterns - those areas always vote pro-Russian.

Supporting a pro-Russian foreign policy is not the same as identifying as Russian or wanting to join Russia. These regions voted by clear majorities with the rest of Ukraine for independence from Russia and in surveys the majorities identify themselves as Ukrainian, not Russian.

[DannyTN]

That’s like house squatters voting to keep your house.

[BiteYourSelf]

Exactly.🤔

[WASCWatch]

Voting means nothing if Zelinsky doesn’t approve. This move is a sign of Rusdian weakness. Besides who gets to count the votes?