Almost seven months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, four areas under Moscow’s control have announced plans for referendums on joining Russia.
Russia’s invasion has slowed down in recent months with Ukraine recapturing some territories in the north-east.
Russian-backed officials in the east and south say they want votes on joining Russia starting this week.
Reports gathered say Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, after a vote widely condemned as a charade.
However, the international community does not recognise the annexation with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro KULEBA maintaining that “sham ‘referendums’ will not change anything”.
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