Voting Begins on Referendums to Join Russia

Today, on September 23, voting will commence on referendums regarding joining the Russian Federation in the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR), as well as in the Kherson region and areas of Zaporizhzhia currently under Russian military control. All four regions will conduct their voting until September 27, inclusive, according to TASS.

The issue of holding an immediate referendum was raised earlier this week by the public chambers of the DPR and LPR. On Monday, they directed this request to the leaders of the republics. The dates were set on Tuesday, as parliaments unanimously adopted laws on the referendums, and the central election commissions approved the voting procedures.

Residents of the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions joined the demand for such a vote on Tuesday. On Wednesday morning, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated in a televised address that Russia would support the residents of Donbas, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson in their decision about their future, which they would make through referendums.