Four Russian-occupied Ukrainian regions will be voting on whether they want to join the Russian Federation or remain part of Ukraine, beginning Friday. Ukraine and the international community expressed outrage that the elections are sure to be a “sham'
“The data has artificially low variance. Basically, all the different precincts report similar turnout and similar outcomes,” Sonin says.
“The authorities have hardly had any time to check the voter roll, to set up appropriate polling facilities to ensure that electoral conditions are in place so that they can adjudicate any disputes,” Graham says.Russia has not officially announced that it will be annexing any of these Ukrainian territories, but experts say the referenda are a sign that annexation may come next.
If annexed, however, the way of life for Ukrainians in these occupied regions could change even more drastically overnight. “All Russian laws would now apply in these territories, they will move more rapidly to put in place Russian administrations,” Graham says.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ukraine war: West condemns Russian plans for 'sham' Ukraine voteKyiv's allies say they will never recognise the results of votes run by Moscow-backed authorities.
Read more »
Russia planning to rig sham votes in Ukraine to create pretext for war, Foreign Secretary warnsMPs have urged the British Government to take Vladimir Putin's threats of nuclear escalation more seriously
Read more »
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly calls on countries to reject Putin's 'sham' referenda in UkraineThe foreign secretary has called on countries to reject the 'charade' of referenda to be held in Russian-controlled regions in eastern and southern Ukraine.
Read more »
Oil and gas climate test branded a sham by environmentalistsThe licensing test will compare greenhouse gas emissions in the UK sector with other countries.
Read more »
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly calls on countries to reject Putin's 'sham' referenda in UkraineThe foreign secretary has called on countries to reject the 'charade' of referenda to be held in Russian-controlled regions in eastern and southern Ukraine.
Read more »
Ukraine war: West condemns Russian plans for 'sham' Ukraine voteKyiv's allies say they will never recognise the results of votes run by Moscow-backed authorities.
Read more »