Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Sham referendums in 4 Russian-occupied Ukrainian regions cause outrage in Western countries

Open-air polling station during the so-called referendum in Mariupol, Eastern Ukraine, 25 September, 2022
Photo: EPA/BGNES

The illegal, according to international law, so-called referendums in the occupied Ukrainian territories have yielded the expected results – overwhelming “support” for accession to Russia. According to the occupation administration, after the votes have been counted, 99% of the people who voted in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic and 98% in Luhansk are for becoming part of Russia. In Zaporizhzhia, this percentage is 93% and in Kherson – 87%. According to analysts, the annexation of these territories will probably begin in the coming days, after the Moscow-installed occupation authorities officially ask Russian President Vladimir Putin to become part of the Russian Federation.

In response, Ukraine, the NATO allies and many other countries around the world declared the referendums in the occupied Ukrainian territories to be illegal. Canada stated it planned to impose new sanctions on natural and legal persons in Russia, while Germany said it would not recognize the results of the referendums. “Recent so-called referenda conducted in four Russian-occupied regions in Ukraine cannot be considered legal under international law,” the UN’s political affairs chief, Rosemary DiCarlo, told the UN Security Council.

Germany maintains its position that Ukraine must by given Soviet-era tanks and infantry fighting vehicles in working order by the NATO countries immediately, and that their stocks will be replenished by Germany and other countries with Western military hardware. 



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Morning sunshine, highs of 23 to 28 Celsius expected on Friday

On Friday, the minimum temperatures in Bulgaria will be from 6 to 14°C, in Sofia - 7°C. During the day it will be sunny. A light to moderate wind will blow from the north-northwest.  Daytime highs will be from 23 to 28°C, in the capital Sofia -..

published on 9/18/25 7:25 PM

Rosen Zhelyazkov's cabinet survives fifth no-confidence vote

The government of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov survived a fifth vote of no confidence, this time on the topic of "Internal Security and Justice." 133 MPs from GERB-SDS, DPS–New Beginning, BSP and There is Such a People (ITN) voted against. 101 Mps..

published on 9/18/25 6:37 PM

National Guard Service will no longer provide transportation for the presidential administration

The National Guard Service (NSO) will no longer provide transportation for the presidential administration. This is provided for by the amendments to the Law on the National Security Service adopted at first reading with the votes of GERB-SDF, “DPS-New..

published on 9/18/25 3:33 PM