Russia's invasion of Ukraine : Russia declares victory in 'referendums' - Zelensky furious

Of: 

Hans Österman 

Published: Less than 2 hours ago 

Updated: Less than 30 min ago 

Volodymyr Zelensky. Volodymyr Zelensky. Photo: Javad Parsa / NTB 

NEWS 

Volodymyr Zelenskyy was about to speak at the UN. 

Then Russia declared victory in the so-called referendums in Kherson and Zaporizhzhya 

- We will not give in to blackmail from a terrorist, Zelenskyy said before the Security Council. 

It's only been a week since Russia announced what it calls referendums in four occupied regions of Ukraine: Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhya. 

- It's just a propaganda measure. Referendums conducted on occupied territory do not have any basis in international law, said Carolina Vendil Pallin, research leader at the Total Defense Research Institute (FOI), to Aftonbladet on the same day that the announcement came.(till Aftonbladet samma dag som beskedet kom.)

At 21:00 on Tuesday evening, the AFP news agency stated that the pro-Russian occupation leaders in Kherson and Zaporizhzhya declared victory in the "referendums". According to Nexta, the so-called election committee states that 93.11 percent in Zaporizhzhya and 87.05 percent in Kherson voted yes to becoming part of Russia. 

Vladimir Putin. Vladimir Putin. Photo: Ilya Pitalev / AP 

A banner about the "election" on a road in Kherson. Photo: AP 

Shortly after the announcement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the UN. The Security Council had an extraordinary meeting due to the sham votes. 

- We will not give in to blackmail from a terrorist. It is in Ukraine and in this war that not only our people's right to life and freedom is defended, but also international law, he said. 

Zelensky warned the UN that the 2014 occupation of Crimea will be repeated. Even then, Russia announced a "referendum". 

- This is an attempt to steal another state's territory. People are forced to fill out some papers at gunpoint. Now a clear signal is needed from all the countries of the world. I believe in your ability to act. 

The US wants to persuade the UN to adopt a resolution condemning the "referendums". 

They are condemned before the specially convened meeting by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. 

He calls them a scam and a clear violation of international law. 

"These areas belong to Ukraine," he tweets.