Russian-backed separatists in Kherson say they will vote on joining Russia

A general view shows the Russian-controlled city of Kherson, Ukraine July 24, 2022. REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko

MOSCOW, Sept 20 (Reuters) – Russian-installed officials in Ukraine’s Kherson region said they had decided to hold a referendum on joining Russia later this week and urged the Kremlin to grant its permission as soon as possible according to the separatist leader, the region announced on Tuesday.

In a post on the Telegram messaging app, Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-appointed head of Kherson, said he hopes Kherson will become “a part of Russia, a full-fledged subject of a united country.”

Russian forces control around 95% of Ukraine’s Kherson territory in the south of the country.

Later on Tuesday, Russian news agencies reported that the vote would take place between September 23 and 27, in line with similar votes scheduled in other areas of Ukraine controlled by Russian forces.

Officials in parts of Ukraine controlled by Russian forces, including the two breakaway Russian-backed regions of Donbass – the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics (DPR and LPR) – have intensified preparations for long-discussed votes on Russia’s accession this week appeared to be a coordinated move.

Saldo said Kherson’s accession to Russia would “secure our region” and be a “triumph of historical justice.”

“I am sure that the Russian leadership will accept the results of the referendum,” he added.

The Kremlin has repeatedly said that the matter is a matter for local Russian-appointed officials and citizens of the regions.

Saldo’s comments echoed those of Kremlin ally and former President Dmitry Medvedev earlier Tuesday, in which he urged the Kremlin to allow the separatists to join Russia. Continue reading

Shortly after Saldo announced plans for a vote in Kherson, the head of Russia’s parliament said he would support the regions’ accession to Russia.

“Today we must support the republics with which we have signed mutual assistance agreements,” said Russian State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, referring to the agreements signed between Moscow and the DPR and LPR that paved the way for the Kremlin , to send tens of thousands of troops to Ukraine in February.

Reuters reporting; Adaptation by Guy Faulconbridge and Alex Richardson

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