Russia poised to annex Ukraine from Ukraine

ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine: Moscow was poised on Wednesday to annex a swath of Ukraine, releasing what it called vote tallies showing support in four partially occupied provinces to join Russia after Kyiv and the West denounced illegal sham referendums held at gunpoint.

President Vladimir Putin could make a speech within a few days, just over a week since he endorsed the referendums, ordered a military mobilisation at home and threatened to defend Russia with nuclear weapons if necessary.

The Russian-installed administrations of the four Ukrainian provinces asked Putin to incorporate them into Russia, which Russian officials have suggested is a formality.

The results are clear. Dmitry Medvedev, a former president who is currently the deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, said on Telegram.

Russian-backed authorities claim that they have carried out the referendums over five days in parts of eastern and southern Ukraine that make up about 15% of the country's territory.

Residents who have escaped to Ukrainian-held areas have told of people being forced to mark ballots in the street by roving officials at gunpoint. Footage filmed during the exercise showed Russian-installed officials taking ballot boxes from house to house with armed men in tow.

They can announce anything they want. There was no vote in the referendum except for a few people who switched sides. They went from house to house, but nobody came out, said Lyubomir Boyko, 43, from Golo Pristan, a village in Russian-occupied Kherson province.

Russia says voting was voluntary, in line with international law, and that turnout was high. Russia took over Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and the referendums and idea of annexations have been rejected globally.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy tried to rally international support against possible Russian annexations in a series of calls with foreign leaders, including those of Britain, Canada, Germany and Turkey.

Thank you for your clear and unequivocal support. In a late-night video address, Zelenskiy said, "Thank you all for understanding our position."

The United States said it would impose economic costs on Moscow for the referendums in the coming days, adding to several tranches of sanctions since Russia invaded Ukraine in February that has destroyed cities and killed thousands.

Ned Price, State Department spokeswoman for the State Department said that they will work with allies and partners to bring more pressure on Russia and the individuals and entities that are helping support the attempted land grab.

The EU's executive has proposed more sanctions against Russia, but the 27 member countries will have to overcome their own differences to implement them.