Afghan Voice Agency (AVA): According to Russian-backed local authorities, the referendum on joining the country in the Moscow-controlled areas of Ukraine began today, Friday (September 23).

 

According to the Associated Press news agency, voting will be held in Luhansk, Zaporozhye, which is partially controlled by Russia, and Donetsk. According to this report, in Kherson, which is almost completely controlled by Russia, voting is expected to begin on Friday morning (local time).

 

According to Reuters, the regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhia together make up about 15% of Ukraine's territory. Referendums have faced widespread criticism from the West, and Western countries supporting Kiev claim that it paves the way for the escalation of tensions from Russia.

 

These referendums follow Russian President Vladimir Putin's order to mobilize part of the forces, which aims to add 300,000 Russian troops to the battle in Ukraine.

 

The heads of Luhansk and Donetsk regions announced earlier that the referendum will be held from September 23 to 27. Leonid Pasknik, the leader of the Luhansk Republic, recently signed a law, according to which it was decided to hold a referendum to join this region to Russia. After him, the leader of Donetsk, Denis Pushilin, announced that a similar referendum will be held in this region.

 

In a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pushilin asked him to accept Donetsk as a part of Russia if the people voted in favor of joining the Russian Federation in accordance with the results of this referendum.

 

Russia recognized these two regions as independent regions in February, but many countries still consider them part of Ukraine. Kyiv unofficially lost control over these two regions in 2014. At that time, the residents of these two regions did not recognize the outcome of the western-backed coup called the Maidan coup.

 

After recognizing the independence of Luhansk and Donetsk republics from Ukraine, Russia sent troops to this region on February 24, 2022 and announced the beginning of "special military operations in Ukraine". Russia has announced its goal of this action to de-Nazify Ukraine, disarm this country, resolve its security concerns and respond to Luhansk and Donetsk's request for help, and said that it has no intention of seizing Ukrainian lands.

 

Following the beginning of Russia's conflict with Ukraine, while condemning Moscow and intensifying economic pressures, Western countries have put all-round political, financial, and weapons support for Kiev on the agenda.