Pasechnik: Almost 100 pc of voters in referendum choose being with Russia

The proportion of "Yes" votes in the LPR referendum on joining Russia is close to 100 pc, the Republic's Head Leonid Pasechnik said.

"More than a million voted. The voting is very active. My understanding is that the number of people who voted in favour of joining Russia is close to 100 pc," he said.

The LPR referendum on joining the Russian Federation as a constituent entity is taking place on September 23-27. Polling stations will be open to voters only on September 27; on other dates, voting will be arranged as special venues, including public space in residential areas. The CEC set up 461 polling places in the LPR and 201 in Russian regions.

On May 11, 2014, the Lugansk and Donetsk People’s Republics held a referendum on their self-determination as Kiev launched a military operation against Donbass. LPR and DPR independence was supported by 96.2 percent and 89.7 percent of voters, respectively. The Republics proclaimed their state sovereignty on May 12, 2014.

On February 21, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the sovereignty of the Lugansk and Donetsk People’s Republics. He asked the Federal Assembly to support this decision and then ratify a friendship and mutual assistance treaty with the Donbass Republics. On the same day, Putin and LPR Head Leonid Pasechnik signed a friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance treaty between Russia and the Lugansk People’s Republic. *t