The U.S.-declared “sham” referendums occurring in Russian-occupied Ukraine have resulted in the expected outcome, according to Russian state media.
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Russian territories in the south and northeast have held referendums on whether to join the Russian Federation this week, and in each of the four votes, at least 97% of votes were cast in favor of joining Russia, according to early tallies, Tass reported on Tuesday.
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With between 21-28% of the ballots processed, accession was supported by 98% of people in the self-declared Donetsk Republic, 97% of the self-declared Luhansk Republic, 97% of Zaporizhzhia residents, and 97% of Kherson residents, according to the outlet.
The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense claimed in its Tuesday update that Russian President Vladimir Putin could announce the accession of occupied Ukrainian territory in a speech he is scheduled to give on Friday to both houses of parliament. It said it is “a realistic possibility,” adding, “Russia’s leaders almost certainly hope that any accession announcement will be seen as a vindication of the ‘special military operation’ and will consolidate patriotic support for the conflict.”
The White House warned about possible retaliatory responses against Russia for the referendums should they lead to annexations of that territory.
“We are prepared to impose additional swift and severe economic costs on Russia along with our allies and partners in response to these actions if they move forward with annexation,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters last Friday, noting that the administration will “never” recognize any territory Russia annexes from Ukraine as legitimate parts of Russia.
She did not specify what could be included in the additional “costs” of such a move.
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The referendums coincide with Putin’s decision last week to call up roughly 300,000 reservists to join the war.
“Many tens of thousands” of call-up papers have been issued already, though many reservists have not had military experience in “some years” and will likely “deploy to the front line with minimal relevant preparation,” the U.K. said in its Monday update. Some have sought to leave the country, while others have taken to the streets to protest.
