how does this gel with the Russian language speaking map?
Because "Russian speaking" is not the same as "Ethnic Russian not ethnic Ukrainian" nor the same as "wanting to be under Moscow" --> there are lots of Russian speakers in Ukraine -- like Zelensky, a Russian speaker and lot of people with both parents from Russia who still do not want to be ruled from Moscow and prefer being Ukrainian
The referenda you refer to are illegal, even by Russian Federation law, since they take place on contested territories during active fighting. From the international law point of view, holding elections in occupied areas will likely be considered a war crime, with a subsequent increase in sanctions on Russia and aid to Ukraine.