The referendums are taking place over five days in Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. Kyiv and its Western allies say the vote's a sham - and an unlawful land grab.
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Ukraine Invasion
Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.
Russian Sanctions
The Russian economy has been impacted by a raft of global sanctions as world leaders try to pressure Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine.