Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to announce the union of the occupied regions of Ukraine with the Russian Federation during his address to Parliament on September 30, the British Ministry of Defense said.
Currently, in the four territories partially occupied by Russia, the so-called referendums on the union with Russia are being held.
“Russia’s leaders hope that any announcement of a merger will be seen as justification for the ‘special military operation’ and will consolidate patriotic support for the war,” British intelligence said in a tweet.
From September 23 to September 27, the so-called referendums on union with Russia are being held in the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
Kiev and the West have described the votes as “fake” and have said that holding them is contrary to international law, warning that they will not recognize the results.
Also, there are claims by some local officials that voters are being threatened and intimidated.
The leaders installed by Russia in these regions where the so-called referendums are being held, have said that the preliminary results will be published on the evening of September 27 or in the following days.
After that, Russian lawmakers are expected to approve the regions’ union with Russia and Putin to sign the decision.