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Russia set to annex Ukraine territory - West warns of new sanctions

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Russia was poised for an annexation of a swathe of Ukraine in days. It released what it called vote totals showing overwhelming support from four provinces to join it after what Ukraine and Western countries denounced as illegal sham elections held at gunpoint.

Moscow's Red Square has a stage equipped with huge video screens and billboards promoting "Donetsk", Luhansk or Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Russia!"

Three days before President Vladimir Putin's 70th Birthday, the head of Russia's upper house said that it might consider the incorporation the four partially occupied areas.

The four Russian-installed administrations in the four provinces have asked Putin to include them in Russia. Russian officials suggest that this is just a formality.

Rodion Miroshnik (Russia-installed ambassador in Moscow of self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic), stated that "this should happen within a few days".

"The referendum has occurred, and the main thing has already taken place. Let's just say that the locomotive has already begun and is unlikely to stop.

The Russian parliament, controlled by Putin allies, will have to approve and ratify a treaty in order to annexe the territories. They represent around 15% of Ukraine. These areas will be considered part of Russia, and the nuclear umbrella will also extend to them.

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Putin warned that he would use nuclear weapons in order to defend Russian territory against attack.

'NOBODY VOTED'

Recent residents who fled to Ukraine-held areas have spoken out about being forced to vote in the streets by roving officers at gunpoint. The exercise was filmed by Russian-installed officials who moved the ballot boxes from one house to another with armed men.

"They can declare whatever they like. Except for a few who switched sides, nobody voted in this referendum. They moved from one house to the next, but no one came out," Lyubomir Boyko (43), from Golo Pristan in Russian-occupied Kherson, said.

Russia claims that voting was voluntary in accord with international laws, and that high turnout was a result. Globally, the idea of annexes was rejected as well as the Russian 2014 takeover in Crimea from Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the Ukrainian president, sought international support for annexed countries in a series of calls with foreign leaders including those from Canada, Britain, Germany, and Turkey.

"Thank you to all for your clear, unambiguous support. Zelenskiy expressed his gratitude to all who understood our position in a late-night video address.

The United States announced a $1.1billion weapons package for Ukraine. It includes 18 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System launchers (HIMARS), munitions, and various counter-drone systems and radar systems. This announcement increases the US security assistance to $16.2 billion.

The United States also stated that it would impose additional sanctions on Russia in response to the referendums. However, the executive of the European Union proposed more sanctions. But the 27 members of the bloc will have to overcome their differences in order to implement them.

Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesperson, said that Russia would have to continue fighting until it has taken complete control of Donetsk. Around 40% of Donetsk is still under Ukrainian control.

Russia announced that it will mobilize 300,000 reservists in order to support its forces in Ukraine. Thousands of Russian soldiers fled Russia after the conscription drive.

The ground is a battleground between the Russian and Ukrainian forces, particularly in Donetsk, where six civilians were killed by Russian attack on Wednesday.

According to the Ukrainian military, Russia has launched eight missiles and more than 80 air strikes in the last 24 hours.

It said that the Ukrainian air force conducted 16 strikes on Wednesday to damage or destroy a number Russian positions. Two command posts were destroyed by ground forces.

Valentyn Reznichenko is the governor of Dnipropetrovsk. He said that three people died in the Russian bombardment of Dnipro's capital. This included a 12-year old girl. More than 60 buildings were also damaged.

He said that rescuers had taken her out of the house, where she was only sleeping when a Russian missile struck.

Reuters could not verify battlefield reports.

EUROPEAN ENERGY

After explosions that ripped through underground pipelines constructed by Russia and European partners to transport natural gas to Europe, leaking gas bubbled up in Baltic Sea for the third day.

Nord Stream 1 was once the main route from Russia to Germany. It had been shut down but can't be opened now.

NATO and the European Union both warned of the need to protect crucial infrastructure from "sabotage", but officials resisted the temptation to assign blame.

Russia's FSB security services are investigating the damage to pipelines as "international terrorism", Interfax reported.

The Nord Stream pipelines are a flashpoint in the expanding energy war between Russia, European countries. This has caused Western economies to suffer and gas prices have soared.

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