Votes Begin for Referendum in Russia-Based Areas

According to Russian state media, voting has begun in some of the territories occupied by Russia's Ukraine.

Voting began at 8: 00 a.m. in Donetsk and Luanks, as well as in the Kherson region and in the freed territories of the Zaporozhye” region. “References” have been named illegal and “masquerade” from Ukraine and west”, writes the Tass news agency.

Western officials and experts have said Putin's plans to use these illegal referenda to gain control of Ukrainian's occupied land, and threats that he will use nuclear weapons to defend himself are attempts to intimidate Kiev and Western supporters from the expansion of the counteroffensive.

Putin has earlier said he will use all possible weapons systems to respond to threats to Russia's territorial integrity.