Voting has begun in Moscow-held regions in Ukraine in a referendum to join Russia — a move widely considered to be a precursor to illegal annexation.
Key points:
- Russian-installed leaders announced on Tuesday a referendum would be held
- Residents in Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia will be asked if they want to become part of Russia
- The result is expected to be in Moscow's favour
On Tuesday, Russian-backed leaders announced plans for ballots in Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, which together make up about 15 per cent of Ukrainian territory.
The next day, Russian President Vladimir announced a military draft expected to deliver 300,000 troops, after losing ground to Ukranian forces.
The ballot will run until Tuesday, and the result is expected to win Moscow's favour.
That would give the Kremlin pretext to claim Ukraine's attempts to recapture occupied territories are an attack on Russia.
"Encroachment onto Russian territory is a crime which allows you to use all the forces of self–defence," Dmitry Medvedev, who was Russia's president from 2008 to 2012, said in a post on Telegram.
Luhansk regional governor Serhiy Gaidai told Ukrainian TV that declaring the regions Russian territories would allow Moscow to fight "without any reservations".
Officials will bring ballots to people's houses for the first four days, with regular polls only opening for Tuesday.
Polls have also opened in Russia for refugees from the area to vote.
Denis Pushilin, a separatist leader of Moscow-backed authorities in the Donetsk region, called the referendum on Friday "a historical milestone."
NATO has said the "sham referenda" are "illegal and illegitimate".
The OSCE, which monitors elections, said the outcomes would have no legal force because they do not conform with Ukraine law or international standards.
AP/Reuters