Kherson and Zaporozhye Regions to Hold Referendums on Joining Russia on September 23-27

On Monday, civic chambers of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics also came forward with such an initiative, urging the local authorities to hold the referendums on becoming a part of Russia.

The Kherson region will soon hold a referendum on joining the Russian Federation, head of the Kherson administration Vladimir Saldo declared on Tuesday.

The decision was announced after the Kherson Civic Council appealed to the head of the region, calling for the holding of a referendum as soon as possible.

"We consider that now - more than ever - it is time to take a crucial decision to immediately hold a referendum on making the Kherson region a part of the Russian Federation. We are sure that the initiative will be fully supported by the residents of the Kherson region, and joining Russia will not only be a triumph of historical justice, but will also secure the territory of the region, open new opportunities on the way to the revival and restoration of the power of our land and the return to a full-fledged peaceful life", said Vladimir Ovcharenko, the head of the council.

Soon afterwards, Zaporozhye regional head Yevgeny Balitsky also confirmed there will be a referendum, after the "We Are Together with Russia" social movement asked him to hold a similar vote.

Both regions scheduled the vote for September 23-27 - as well as the Donbass republics, which announced the initiative a day earlier.

Meanwhile, Speaker of the Russian State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin announced that legislators will grant their support if people confirm their readiness to join Russia in a referendum.

This photo taken on May 20, 2022 shows a womand and child walking in a park as Russian servicemen patrol the street in Skadovsk, Kherson Oblast, amid the ongoing Russian military action in Ukraine

© AFP 2023 / OLGA MALTSEVA

The Kherson council noted that the people of the region are suffering from atrocious attacks by Ukrainian forces, noting that the weapons that kill civilians in Kherson are delivered to Kiev by Western countries.

At the same time, deputy head of the Kherson administration Kirill Stremousov noted that the territories liberated from Kiev's regime by Russia will soon join the country. He also stated that Kherson is ready to ensure security of the event.

"There are literally several settlements, but they are a buffer zone, where the attacks of the Ukrainian nazis are still being repelled, although, as the military says, they have already died out. Almost 95% of the Kherson region is under the complete control of the Russian army. The referendum will be held if the documents are signed now. And the question of joining Russia will be resolved", he stated.

Kherson and Zaporozhye regions were liberated from Kiev's troops by the Russian forces at the beginning of the military op in Ukraine. Local administrations have been formed there, with Russian TV channels and radio stations broadcasting, while people were able to restore trade and transport links with Crimea after eight years of separation imposed by Kiev.

Over the past months, the territories have faced numerous terror attacks and shelling by the Ukrainian military, which has targeted civilian facilities, leading to civilian casualties.

Ukrainian forces are also targeting the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant - the biggest NPP in Europe - which creates considerable risks for the area.

A poll, held earlier this month, suggested that the majority of residents in the liberated regions would take part in a vote on their regions' status, with many of them backing the idea of joining Russia.

Follow Sputnik's live feed to get the latest updates!