A day before the planned start of fake referendums on accession to Russia, marketplaces explode in the stricken Ukrainian provinces. People were killed in both Donetsk in eastern Ukraine and the city of Melitopol in the southeast. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, meanwhile, has threatened to use nuclear weapons to defend annexed areas in Ukraine.
Russia is ready to use all means, including nuclear weapons, to defend the areas, Medvedev, who is currently deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, said Thursday. The referendums planned by the pro-Russian separatists are taking place and there is “no turning back,” Medvedev said. “The Western establishment and all citizens of NATO countries in general must understand that Russia has chosen its own path.”
Mutual pointing finger
Referendums on accession to Russia are scheduled for Friday in the Luhansk, Donetsk and Kherson regions. The mayor of Melitopol, who is in exile, said three soldiers were killed in the shelling on the busy market square on Thursday. It is unclear how many civilians were among the victims. Representatives of Russia and Ukraine blamed each other for the explosion in Melitopol.
Melitopol, located in Zaporizhzhya province, was one of the first cities to come under Russian control after the February 24 invasion. The Donetsk region has been ruled by pro-Russian rebels since 2014. The explosion killed six people and injured six, Russia-appointed Donetsk mayor Alexei Kulemsin wrote on Telegram texting service on Thursday. The Ukrainian army shells the center of the city.
referendums on trade unions
Referendums on accession to Russia will be held in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhya from Friday to Tuesday (September 23-27). The four provinces cover about 15 percent of Ukraine’s territory. Ukraine and the West have already said the referenda are illegal and will not recognize the results. The Ukrainian government warned against participating in the polls.
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.
