Russia likely to rig voting on referendum to integrate Kherson into its territory: UK MoD

As Moscow-installed military ministration ruling confirmed ir plans of holding a referendum on joining Russia in Ukraine's Kherson region, UK Ministry of Defence, in its daily intelligence report, claimed that referendum would be conducted by autumn 2022. According to UK Defence Ministry, Russia is likely prioritising a "pseudo-constitutional vote" in an attempt to legitimise its control of region. Earlier, in a video published on Telegram, Kirill Stremoussov, deputy he of Kherson's military and civil ministration, confirmed plan and said, "Yes, we are preparing for a referendum -- and we will hold it."

He affirmed that Kherson should become a "full-fledged member of Russia"--- a day after Putin's installed security forces detained Kherson Mayor Ihor Kolykhayev after reportedly refusing to follow instructions of Moscow. Reacting to detention of Kolykhayev, UK Defence Ministry termed "unlawful action" a clear attempt to suppress opposition to occupation. However, it ted that widespre armed and peaceful resistance continues across occupied areas.

tably, Kherson - located around 650 kilometres from national capital, Kyiv and an important port on Black Sea - was one of first cities that came under brutal attack of Russian forces. Since n, Putin's forces have been bombing region, resulting in killing of hundreds of people. 

Moscow likely to rig voting to achieve an acceptable result: UK

Meanwhile, UK defence intelligence ted that finding a constitutional solution for occupation is likely a priority policy objective for Russia. It said that Moscow would likely be prepared to rig voting to achieve an acceptable result. Recently, Moscow has started brocasting its channels in Ukraine’s sourn Kherson region. This came after Russian engineers forcefully reconfigured at least seven television towers in Kherson region to brocast Russian nda. Also, Moscow distributed passports in Kherson region, which Ukrainian government strongly opposed move and termed it "unlawful". 

Earlier this month, US ambassor to Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Michael Carpenter, during an dress to OSCE council in Vienna, alleged that Kremlin wants to place puppet regime to humiliate and brutalize  local population who are critical or vocal against Russian leership. Furrmore, US ambassor to OSCE claimed that Moscow is deliberately seeking to sabot internet access in Russian-controlled territories to deny people ability to acquire reliable information, conduct financial transactions, communicate openly, and access Ukrainian government services.

"Control over Kherson helps Russia prevent Ukraine from exporting its grain & directly exacerbates global food security crisis. It means more people in Ukraine will likely die, but more people will become hungry & die of hunger worldwide. stakes are ermous," he wrote on Twitter.

Russia-Ukraine war 

It is worth mentioning here that Russia initiated a full-fledged war against Ukraine nearly two days after Russian President Vlimir Putin signed a decree recognising independence of breakaway regions Donetsk and Luhansk. Putin's action came despite West's repetitive warning and speculations about his ill intention to inve Ukraine.

On February 24, Russian troops started a military offensive against Ukraine. Since n, it has been bombarding several cities in Ukraine, resulting in killing of thousands of civilians. 

(Im: AP/Pixabay)