DISINFO: Four Ukrainian regions overwhelmingly voted to join Russia in 2022
SUMMARY
In 2014, Crimea held a referendum to re-join Russia. In 2022, four Ukrainian regions overwhelmingly voted to become part of the Russian Federation.
RESPONSE
The claim is part of an ongoing pro-Kremlin disinformation campaign concerning Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.
The so called 'referendums', which are in a clear violation of Ukraine's sovereignty, were held illegally, under duress, and on territories which Russia does not have a full control over, but has a partial military control over.
The results of these 'sham polls' have been universally rejected by leading international and human rights organisations, including the United Nations, the OSCE, NATO, as well as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.
On the EU's behalf, High Representative Josep Borrell said the following:
“The European Union strongly condemns these planned illegal “referenda” which go against the legal and democratically elected Ukrainian authorities, are in violation of Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and in blatant breach of international law. The results of such actions will be null and void and would not be recognised by the EU and its Member States. [...]
Therefore, these illegal “votes” cannot be considered under any circumstance as the free expression of the will of the people living in these regions under constant Russian military threat and intimidation."
See similar cases: New Russian regions Zaporizhzhia and Kherson elect deputies for the first time and Four Ukrainian regions voted to join Russia in public referendums.