Russian annexation of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts
| Part of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and Russo-Ukrainian War | |
 Areas annexed, but not fully controlled by Russia in striped yellow-red | |
| Date | 30 September 2022 |
|---|---|
| Location | Southern and Eastern Ukraine |
| Organised by |  Russian Federation |
| Outcome |
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On 30 September 2022, Vladimir Putin said that four Ukrainian oblasts would now be part of Russia. These are the oblasts Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. These oblasts make up about 15% of the territory of Ukraine. Before the annexation, the people were asked if they wanted to join Russia. Because this vote happened during a conflict, and was done by one of the parties involved in the conflict, it is against international law.[3] Because of the conflict, much of the population had left.[4]
This annexation is the largest in Europe, beating Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea.[5] It also made a land connection between Crimea and European Russia.[6]
Because of the problems involved, no other state recognized this annexation except for North Korea.[7] Ukraine, the European Union, the United States, and the United Nations have all said that the referendums and annexation had no legal basis or effect.[8]
As a response to the annexation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine would apply to join NATO.[9]
The size of the territory annexed is about 90,000 km2 (35,000 sq mi), comparable to the size of Hungary or Portugal.[10]
On 27 September, Russian officials claimed that the annexation "referendum" in Zaporizhzhia Oblast passed, with 93.11% of voters in favour of joining the Russian Federation.[11]
Another problem is that fighting is still ongoing, and Russian forces do not control all of the territory they claim they annexed.
Reactions
[change | change source]A United Nations Security Council meeting was held on 30 September 2022 to vote on a resolution to punish Russia on annexation of these territories, resulting in 10 yes votes, 1 no vote and 4 abstentions. The resolution failed to pass due to Russia vetoing it. Brazil, China, Gabon, and India abstained from the vote.[a]
Ukrainian response
[change | change source]On 7 August 2022, the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said that "if the occupiers proceed along the path of pseudo-referendums they will close for themselves any chance of talks with Ukraine and the free world, which the Russian side will clearly need at some point."[13] After the ceremony of annexation, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine would not negotiate with Russia "as long as Putin is president", and requested a "fast-track" NATO membership in response.[14]
Related pages
[change | change source]Notes
[change | change source]References
[change | change source]- ↑ Pjotr Sauer; Luke Harding (30 September 2022). "Putin annexes four regions of Ukraine in major escalation of Russia's war". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
- ↑ Luke Harding; Isobel Koshiw (30 September 2022). "Ukraine applies for Nato membership after Russia annexes territory". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
- ↑ "United Nations Charter, Chapter I: Purposes and Principles". United Nations. Archived from the original on 2 October 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
- ↑ Walker, Shaun (23 September 2022). "'Referendums' on joining Russia under way in occupied Ukraine". the Guardian. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
- ↑ Dickson, Janice (30 September 2022). "Putin signs documents to illegally annex four Ukrainian regions, in drastic escalation of Russia's war". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
- ↑ Chernova, Ann M. Simmons and Yuliya (2022-09-30). "Russia Announces Annexation of Four Regions of Ukraine". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 2022-09-30.
- ↑ "So-called referenda in Russian-controlled Ukraine 'cannot be regarded as legal': UN political affairs chief". UN News. 27 September 2022. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
- ↑ Trevelyan, Mark; Trevelyan, Mark (2022-09-30). "Putin declares annexation of Ukrainian lands in Kremlin ceremony". Reuters. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 2022-09-30.
- ↑ Balmforth, Tom (30 September 2022). "Ukraine applies for NATO membership, rules out Putin talks". Reuters. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
- ↑ Guy Faulconbridge; Felix Light (22 September 2022). "Explainer: Russia unfolds annexation plan for Ukraine". Reuters. Archived from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 2022-09-22.
- ↑ "Pro-Moscow officials say 1 occupied area of Ukraine has voted to join Russia". PBS NewsHour. 2022-09-27. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 2022-09-27.; "Жители Запорожской области голосовали за воссоединение с Россией – Администрация Запорожской области" (in Russian). Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 2022-09-27.
- ↑ "Russia vetoes Security Council resolution condemning attempted annexation of Ukraine regions". UN News. United Nations. 30 September 2022. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
- ↑ "Ukraine's Zelenskiy rules out talks if Russia holds referendums". Reuters. 2022-08-07. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 2022-09-23.
- ↑ "Kyiv requests fast-track NATO membership: Zelenskyy". Al Arabiya. 30 September 2022. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
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