Panic as Russia annexes Donetsk, Luhansk in arm-twisted referendum

The Russian president, Vladimir Putin has reportedly annexed Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics in a sham referendum conducted in Ukraine during the weekend.

Recall, Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics allegedly broke out of Ukraine through the manipulations by Russian President Vladimir Putin in January this year.

The area according to the report made up 15% of the Ukrainian Federation, this coming on the heels of Crimea being annexed by Russia nation in 2004.

However, Ukrainian president Volodymir Zelensky had said the annexed Donetsk Luhansk remained an integral part of the Ukrainian Federation, adding that he would fight to defend the country’s territories.

There were also reports of the Russian military forcing Ukrainians in the annexed areas to vote in support of Russia.

The report said residents were compelled to vote under duress in the shabby referendum conducted by Russian president Putin in the territories of Ukraine.