Ukraine-Referendum project on joining Russia in Zaporizhia


LONDON, June 8 (Reuters) – The new administration installed by the Russian army of occupation in the Ukrainian region of Zaporizhia plans to organize a referendum before the end of the year on joining Russia, according to a of its officials quoted by several Russian agencies.

“The population will determine the future of the Zaporijjia region. The referendum is scheduled for this year,” said Vladimir Rogov, whose comments were reported by Tass, without giving any further details on the planned timetable.

The Zaporizhia region in south-eastern Ukraine was one of the first taken by the Russian army at the start of the war which began on February 24, and it is approximately 60% controlled by Russia.

The occupation authorities of Kherson province have also mentioned a referendum project.

Vladimir Rogov assured that the local administration would continue the ballot project even if Russia did not manage to take control of the entire Zaporijjia region.

The city of Zaporizhia itself is still under Ukrainian control.

Before the Russian invasion, the region had about 1.6 million inhabitants.

Attempts to attach the regions of Kherson and Zaporizhia to Russia would contradict the declarations of Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to which Moscow has no intention of occupying Ukrainian territory.

The Kremlin said it was up to the people of the affected regions to decide their future.

“A very large majority of the inhabitants of our region want to quickly return to their native region and become part of greater Russia,” said Vladimir Rogov according to comments quoted by RIA.

For Ukraine, any referendum organized under Russian occupation would be illegal.

Kyiv has never recognized the legality of the referendum organized in Crimea in 2014 by the authorities installed by Moscow on the attachment of the peninsula to Russia. (Reuters report, French version Marc Angrand)




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