4 Ukrainian separatist regions plan votes to join Russia

KYIV, Ukraine — Russian-controlled regions of eastern and southern Ukraine announced plans Tuesday to start voting this week to become integral parts of Russia. The concerted and quickening Kremlin-backed efforts to swallow up four regions could set the stage for Moscow to escalate the war against Ukrainian forces successfully battling to wrest back territory.

The votes, in territory Russia already controls, are expected with near-certainty to go Moscow's way but are unlikely to be recognized by Western governments backing Ukraine with military and other support. He added that the vote will help"restore historic justice that millions of the Russian people were waiting for."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday that there are no prospects for a diplomatic settlement. Medvedev, the deputy head of Russia's Security Council chaired by Putin, said on his messaging app channel that votes in separatist regions are important to protect their residents and"restore historic justice" and would"completely change" Russia's future trajectory.

Govt-and-politics Ukraine warns of 'nuclear terrorism' after strike near plant "That is why they fear those referendums so much in Kyiv and in the West," Medvedev said."That is why they must be held." The swiftness of the Ukrainian counteroffensive also saw Russian forces abandon armored vehicles and other weapons as they beat hasty retreats. Ukrainian forces are recycling captured weaponry back into battle. A Washington-based think tank, The Institute for the Study of War, said Tuesday that abandoned Russian T-72 tanks are being used by Ukrainian forces seeking to push onward into Russian-occupied Luhansk.

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