An ally of President Vladimir Putin has supported plans by Moscow-backed separatists in Ukraine to hold referendums, paving the way for the annexation of swathes of areas. It's a move that would seriously escalate Moscow's confrontation with the West. 

Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion

Russia's plan to annex breakaway regions

Space a Ukrainian counteroffensive continues to gain momentum and retake territory in the northeast of the country must go. Now says that referendums to join Russia will be held by separatist administration's in the Hunts can donate screeches last night of the People's Republic appeal to the heads of these territories in order to Anita t. Hold referendums on joining the Russian Federation. Given the current situation that simply can't be any other solution and referendums, will definitely take place the leaderships of the DP off. And LP are already taking the necessary steps to join forces. Local officials from both his son and zephyrica regions have also announced at this year's referendum. Let's go live to Gabriel Elizondo in Cape Central referendums. Well, it came as a surprise. That's number one, and it appears to be hastily announced if you will, please referendums. Apparently will run from September 23rd to September 27th. So the voting would start 3 days from now on Friday, this was announced by local Russia, imposed officials in all four of these regions witness support and also point out that we are still awaiting official confirmation from the Kremlin and from Vladimir Putin himself ultimately he is the decider on these sort of things and we expect to hear a potentially from food and confirming this within the next few hours, maybe even tomorrow. But it does appear that this is the being pushed by Moscow and that he's referendums will go forward. But it's certainly very interesting because you don't ask for example and zeppo Reesha two of the two of Regions where the boat is apparently going to happen. Russian doesn't even control those entire areas yet they only control about 50% of each. So a lot of people here and keep our viewing. This kind of rolling their eyes. If you will, if you would hear as a desperate move, perhaps by Russia and the foreign minister of Ukraine, actually sent out a tweet responding to this. He said in his words sham referendums by Russia will not change anything. Russia has been and Remains the aggressor illegally occupying parts of Ukrainian land and we will keep liberating that land no matter what Russia has to say. So clearly will be watching this closely because clearly, if these boats go forward, it is the first step in potential annexation of these Ukrainian lands to Russia, no matter what happens to certainly potentially could change. The trajectory of this war is hitting the referendum's even legal. Well Russia says they are a Russia claims that what they are doing is just allowing people to decide for themselves if they want to be part of Russia or not and they say they're just protecting people that are persecuted in these areas they claim because of their Russian language speakers. That's Russia side. But the International Community will almost, you know, you not unanimously. Say it is not legal holding a referendum, that would lead to annexation in the current conditions. Right now, do not conform to under universally accepted rules of international law for two reasons. Number one is because it's being held. Her friend is being held under forced, by Russian, a Russian military there. And number two, because of that, the people voting can't vote freely and fairly and there's no International impartial observers either given all that. Most International lawyers to study this will say, absolutely there's very little legal basis to make this a conform with international law and Keith. Thank you very much.

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Ukraine Invasion