Reuters: Russia triggers plan to formally annex occupied Ukrainian regions
* Four Russia-occupied regions announce referendum plans
* Votes will be held on whether to become part of Russia
* Votes will be held from Sept. 23-27 * Outcome of votes would be irreversible - Medvedev
* Ukraine and the West regard votes as sham and illegal LONDON/KYIV, Sept 20
(Reuters) - Russian-installed leaders in occupied areas of four Ukrainian regions set out plans for referendums on joining Russia this week, a step an ally of President Vladimir Putin said would alter the geopolitical landscape forever.
Russian officials portrayed the move as one that would give Moscow a claim to territory that it could defend with any means possible.
Ukraine dismissed it as a stunt by Russia to try to reclaim the initiative after crushing losses on the battlefield. "Sham ‘referendums’ will not change anything," tweeted Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: This is news that I did not expect. This also explains why Russia's political institutions have been quiet for the past few days. The fact that these votes are going to be held this week tells me that it was planned for a long time.
The timing of this announcement, only a week after Russian President Putin met and talked in private with Chinese President Xi, tells me that China was briefed on what was going to happen. This also explains why Russia's Security Chief was in China for two days who only returned last night .... Russian Security Chief Will Hold Security Consultations In China For Two Days.
These votes are important from the Russian perspective because it is going to be a game-changer on how Russia operates and conducts itself in this war. In the current situation Moscow has constrained itself with its "special operations" guidelines on what it could do in this conflict. This will no longer be the case after this vote. Luhansk, Kherson and partly Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions will now be seen as part of the Russian Federation, and will be protected as such with the full force of the Russian military.
This also explains why Moscow decided to abandon the Kharkiv region, keeping only a token presence of military personnel that was quickly withdrawn back into Luhansk when Ukraine attacked this front in force. If Luhansk, Kherson and partly Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions could hold a referendum, why not Kharkiv. That point is now moot. It looks like Russia saw Kharkiv as an objective that was not possible with the resources that have been committed for this fight. But still .... the shock of losing the Kharkiv region in about a week, all of this must have played an influence in the Kremlin quickly green-lighting this referendum to move forward.
So what do I expect next.
After this vote, which many predict will vote overwhelmingly to join the Russian Federation, Russia is going to escalate the war in Ukraine. To put it bluntly. The gloves are going to be taken off. I expect Russian reservists are going to be called-up, and I expect a massive influx of Russian military personnel into Ukraine this winter for a February/March offensive.
The rules of engagement are also going to change. Political institutions, command and control. and all infrastructure will now be targets.
To say that I am distressed by this development is an understatement. The war in Ukraine is now entering a very dark period, and I expect the U.S. and the EU to respond.
Update: Former Russian President Medvedev and current deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council just outlined what the results of these referendums will mean .... Referendums Will Unlock Moscow's Full War Power: Medvedev (Newsweek).
4 Ukrainian Separatist Regions To Hold Referendums On September 23 - 27 To Join Russia
Donbass republics reveal date of votes on joining Russia -- RT
Referendum on LPR’s accession to Russia to take place between September 23 and 27 -- TASS
Kherson and Zaporozhye Regions to Hold Referendums on Joining Russia on September 23-27 -- Sputnik
Kherson region decides to hold referendum on becoming part of Russia -- TASS
Referendum to legally enshrine Donbass as part of Russia, senator says -- TASS
4 Ukrainian regions schedule votes this week to join Russia -- AP
Pro-Moscow Officials in Occupied Ukraine to Hold Russia Annexation Votes -- Moscow Times
Russia Rushes to Annex Donetsk, Luhansk in Ukraine With Imminent Referendums -- Bloomberg
Ukraine war: Occupied areas call urgent vote to join Russia -- BBC
Four occupied Ukraine regions plan imminent ‘votes’ on joining Russia -- The Guardian
Russia moves toward annexing Ukraine's Luhansk, Donetsk and Kherson regions -- Washington Post
4 regions in Ukraine to hold referendum on becoming part of Russia -- UPI
Russia makes moves to annex separatist regions in Ukraine -- NPR
Kremlin-backed separatists in Ukraine plan votes to join Russia -- Axios