Russia planning ‘fake’ referendum to ‘legitimise’ Ukraine invasion, says UK

Russia is planning a “fake” referendum in order to legitimise its invasion of Ukraine, UK officials have warned.

According to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Russia is planning to hold a referendum in Kherson in order to classify it as a breakaway republic, similar to the contested regions of Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk.

Foreign Office minister James Cleverly said “Vladimir Putin and the Russian military are attempting some form of legitimacy or justification for their actions”.

“The UK has been clear, Ukraine is a sovereign territory and has a right to protect its own borders.

“A faux election to justify Russia’s aggression to Ukraine will be recognised for what it is, which is a fake.”

On March 5, Kherson became the first city to be taken by Russian forces.

Ukrainian officials later expressed fear a so-called “Kherson People’s Republic” could be formed, similar to the three contested regions.

Kherson is a valuable target for Russian troops as it is situated on the Black Sea coast and retaining it would create a land border from Crimea to Romania.

The MoD also warned Russia has installed its own mayor in Melitopol following reports of the abduction of the city’s previous mayor, Ivan Fedorov on March 11.

With the previous mayor allegedly kidnapped, video emerged online of local citizens confronting Russian troops.

In yet another show of defiance, locals can be heard chanting anti-Russian slogans, although Moscow has not commented on the disappearance of the mayor.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the leaders of France and Germany to help secure the release of the mayor of Melitopol.

He said: “During the night and today we are talking to our partners about the situation with our mayor. Our demand is clear: he must be released immediately.

“I have already phoned Chancellor Olaf Scholz. I have spoken to French President Emmanuel Macron. I will speak to all the necessary people to get our people released.”