Russia aims to organise referendum in occupied part of Zaporizia

A Kremlin-backed official, Vladimir Rogov, was quoted by the Russian state news agency Tass as saying:

The people will determine the future of the Zaporizhja region. The referendum is planned for this year. ”

He did not give further details about the date of such a vote, but said the administration would draw up plans on how to proceed with a referendum even if Russia could not gain control over the entire region.

The town of Zaporizhja, the main urban centre, is still held by Ukraine. About 60% of the Zaporizhja region, with a population of 1.6 million pre-war, is under Russian control, part of a part of southern Ukraine that was captured at the start of the war.

In the neighbouring province of Kherson, officials installed by Russia have also discussed plans for a referendum.

Ukraine says any referendum held under Russian occupation would be illegal and their results would be deceptive.

Rogov was quoted by the Russian state news agency Ria as saying:

A crushing number of people in our region want to soon return to their hometown and become part of the great Russia. ”

In 2014, Moscow and its representatives conducted a referendum on Ukraine's Crimean, which was condemned by Western countries as illegal.