Live: Four Ukrainian regions set to be annexed by Russia

Published on: 09/27/2022 – 06:58 The separatist regions of Donetsk and Luhansk (east) as well as those of Kherson and Zaporijjia (south) go to the polls for a final day of voting in annexation referendums by the Russia denounced by the international community. The “provisional results” should be announced by the “electoral commissions” set up by Moscow on Tuesday evening or in the days that follow. Follow the latest developments live. 6:50 am: what process after the results of the referendums? Even though kyiv, Western countries and many observers consider the polls currently taking place in Russian-controlled areas to be “sham”, Moscow is keen to respect the appearance of a legitimate process. Therefore, a delay will be necessary for the counting. The “provisional results” should be announced by the “electoral commissions” set up by Moscow in each of these territories, at the earliest on Tuesday evening or in the days that follow. If the “yes” wins – – which is beyond doubt – the Russian Parliament will vote for a treaty formalizing the integration of the four regions into Russian territory. In the wake of the parliamentary process, President Vladimir Putin could deliver a speech as early as September 30 to formally announce annexation of Ukrainian territories, according to several Russian agencies. of both Houses of Parliament. 6:30 a.m .: multiplication of Russian attacks on Iranian drones On the ground, Russian attacks on Iranian drones have intensified in recent days, in particular above Odessa, a large port on the Black Sea, where two “kamikaze” machines have hit military infrastructure on Monday, causing a major fire and detonating ammunition, according to the Ukrainian military command. On Monday, the kyiv army said it had observed Russian bombardments in more than 40 localities and repelled attacks in a dozen directions, including Soledar and Bakhmout in the east. Moscow continued to claim heavy losses on its opponent. 4:00 a.m. Last day of annexation votes organized by Russia promised a strong response in the event of incorporation. Moscow continues at the same time to carry out a partial mobilization of its reservists in order to recruit nearly 300,000 fighters for its invasion of Ukraine, seeking the parade with the counter-offensive of the Ukrainian troops which have, strong Western arms deliveries, taken over thousands of square kilometers of territory in early September. Held since Friday in the separatist regions of Donetsk and Luhansk (east) and those under Russian occupation of Kherson and Zaporijjia (south), these were denounced as “simulacra” by Ukraine and its allies. With AFP and Reuters