Occupied Ukrainian Territories Officially Ask Putin for Incorporation

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The Russian authorities in the occupied Ukrainian regions of Luhansk and Kherson have applied to the Russian Federation.

They officially asked President Vladimir Putin if their territories could be annexed by Russia after an overwhelming majority of residents voted to do so.

According to official referendum results, 98 percent of voters in Luhansk voted for accession and 87 percent of those in Kherson.

Ukraine and Western allies say the result was pre-determined before the vote, and Russia used the referendum to justify the invasion. The results were similar in the other two voting regions, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhya.

The Russian leaders of Kherson and Luhansk say they are taking this step based on “the decision of the people” and the “historical choice” that has been made.

Russian media reported that Putin would announce the annexation of the occupied territories on Friday during a speech in the State Duma, Russia’s parliament. The same Duma was to meet on 3 and 4 October to discuss the accession of the four regions.