Kremlin claims victory in Ukraine annexation votes

The Kremlin claims victory in Ukraine annexation votes. Fears are growing over four key Russian-held regions of Ukraine, after voting in so-called ‘stage-managed referendums’ wrapped up

Four disputed referendums have wrapped up in Russian-held regions of Ukraine. There are growing fears these votes may be used to annex further territory.

Ukraine and the West have slammed the move, calling it a ‘stage-managed act’ by the Kremlin.

The referendums were held in both the east and south, and conducted without any independent oversight.

There were around a dozen polling stations in operation, with early results suggesting a huge win for Russia’s regime.

Four million people were asked to have their say, or around 15 per cent of Ukraine’s territory.

In Moscow on Friday, Vladimir Putin will lead a joint session of parliament. Here, he is expected to announce the four regions’ annexation.

This bears a striking resemblance to to his actions in 20-14 when he announced Ukraine’s Crimea Peninsula had joined Russia. This was just a few days after a similar referendum was held.

The possible annexation is likely to intensify the war. As Moscow potentially portrays any attempt by Ukraine to regain control of the regions as an attack on Russia’s sovereign territory.