Two days before the alleged start of the mock referendum on annexation to Russia, there are still no signs of preparation in occupied Kherson. One resident says no one informed the public. Two thirds of the people have already left the city since the war.
The population was not informed by anyone where to vote and what questions would be asked, the man told the APA on Wednesday. “Not even remotely an expression of will.” In a televised report broadcast on Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his support for referendums in the Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhya regions, which are partially or largely controlled by Russia.
Previously announced was a vote to join Russia between Friday, September 23 and Tuesday, September 27. However, many could not vote at all, the resident said, as two-thirds of the people had already left the city. Before the war, Kherson had about 300,000 inhabitants. The man expects Russian authorities to say that about 80 percent voted to join Russia.
Mobilization as a background?
A possible background could be the planned partial mobilization of Russia. “There are young men here who can be called up for military service.” At present, the associations of Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov, who is considered an ally of Putin, are prominent. These soldiers have very good and modern equipment, although it is clear that they are not intended for use at the front.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
