Forced to Vote at Gunpoint: Putin’s Brazen Annexation Expected After Staged Referendum

World leaders are scrambling to respond to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s latest brazen act in the war against Ukraine. The Kremlin is expected to announce the annexation of four Ukrainian territories following Wednesday’s release of results from illegally-held referendums in the occupied region. (RELATED: UN Warns of Potential ‘Catastrophe’ From Russian Control of Ukraine’s Largest Nuke Plant)

Those who fled Russian-held territory detailed coercive practices used by Russian authorities. Residents were forced at gunpoint to cast votes in what the West has called “sham” elections. The size of the four territories at stake equates to that of Portugal and includes Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson. All four territories comprise approximately 15% of Ukraine, Reuters reported. Russia unsurprisingly claims that votes were held in full compliance with international law, as pro-Russia leaders in the four occupied regions claim a majority vote for annexation. (RELATED: More Russian Collusion From the Left as Two Black Nationalist Groups Exposed as Part of Kremlin Scheme)

Plans for annexation come on the heels of a busy week on the European continent. Denmark alleges that carefully planned explosions are responsible for the leaks discovered Monday and Tuesday along the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, both of which carry gas from Russia to Germany. The EU claimed foul play but did not directly implicate Russia as the saboteur. German officials suggest that only a state actor could have carried out the complex attack, the BBC reported. (RELATED: Germany Seizes Control of Russian Refineries as Signs of Frustration With Putin Grow)

Russia has meanwhile encountered opposition at home, where military-aged men have left the country in droves, to evade conscription. More than 180,000 crossed the borders into neighboring countries after Putin’s September 21 mobilization order. The unrest continued inside Russian borders, as authorities arrested 2,400 demonstrators across the country.  

In what could be construed as a sign of the Kremlin’s desperation, the Russian president then threatened the use of nuclear weapons. “If there is a threat to the territorial integrity of our country, and in protecting our people we will certainly use all means available to us,” Putin said. “I’m not bluffing,” Russia’s leader added. (RELATED: Putin Announces Major Escalation in Ukraine)

In one week’s time… Russia declared mobilization. Protests and draft dodging ensued. Kremlin suspected as a saboteur in gas leaks. Nuclear threats posed. Referendums staged. Annexation looming. How dangerous is a desperate Russia?

Ukraine’s President Zelensky took to the phones Wednesday to rally support from Western leaders in response to Russia’s illegal referendums. A flurry of economic sanctions is in the works from the United States and its allies. The EU joined also in its proposal of sanctions, as Russia earned censure from multiple world leaders for its staged elections in Ukrainian territory.

The events of the last week invoke the memory of Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea. World leaders then, as now, issued condemnation as Putin flounced international law. But this time, it might be different. This time, there is more context. More spotlight. This time, maybe Russia did go too far.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.

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