Russian annexation of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts

{{Infobox event

| title = Russian annexation of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts

| partof = the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Russo-Ukrainian War

| date = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2022|9|30}}

| location = Southern and Eastern Ukraine

| result = * Formal annexation of an undefined area in and around Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts by the Russian Federation,{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/30/putin-russia-war-annexes-ukraine-regions|date=30 September 2022|work=The Guardian|access-date=1 October 2022|title=Putin annexes four regions of Ukraine in major escalation of Russia's war|last1=Sauer|first1=Pjotr|last2=Harding|first2=Luke|archive-date=1 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001000622/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/30/putin-russia-war-annexes-ukraine-regions|url-status=live}} including a part of Mykolaiv Oblast{{cite news |date=21 September 2022 |title=Russian-held parts of Ukraine's Mykolaiv region to be incorporated in Russian-held Kherson |publisher=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-held-parts-ukraines-mykolaiv-region-be-incorporated-russian-held-kherson-2022-09-21/ |accessdate=21 September 2022 |archive-date=21 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921170926/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-held-parts-ukraines-mykolaiv-region-be-incorporated-russian-held-kherson-2022-09-21/ |url-status=live }}

143 members of the United Nations condemn the annexation and declare it illegal under international law{{Cite web |date=2022-10-12 |title=With 143 Votes in Favour, 5 Against, General Assembly Adopts Resolution Condemning Russian Federation's Annexation of Four Eastern Ukraine Regions |url=https://press.un.org/en/2022/ga12458.doc.htm |access-date=2023-06-20 |website=UN Press}}
Ukraine applies for NATO membership{{Cite web|last1=Harding|first1=Luke|last2=Koshiw|first2=Isobel|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/30/ukraine-applies-for-nato-membership-after-russia-annexes-territory|title=Ukraine applies for Nato membership after Russia annexes territory|date=30 September 2022|work=The Guardian|access-date=1 October 2022|archive-date=1 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001000623/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/30/ukraine-applies-for-nato-membership-after-russia-annexes-territory|url-status=live}}

| organisers = Russia

| image = Moscow Annexation Ceremony (free image).png

| caption = Russian-installed officials at the annexation ceremony in Moscow

}}

On 30 September 2022, Russia, amid an ongoing invasion of Ukraine, unilaterally declared its annexation of areas in and around four Ukrainian oblasts—Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia. Most of Luhansk Oblast and part of Donetsk Oblast had been controlled by pro-Russian separatists since 2014, while the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts were invaded by Russia in 2022. The boundaries of the areas to be annexed and their borders were not defined; Russian officials stated that they would be defined later. None of the oblasts were fully under Russian control at the time of the declaration, nor since. If limited to the areas then under Russian control (about 90,000 km² or 15% of Ukraine's territory, roughly the size of Portugal) the annexation would still be the largest in Europe since World War II.{{Cite news |last=Dickson |first=Janice |date=30 September 2022 |title=Putin signs documents to illegally annex four Ukrainian regions, in drastic escalation of Russia's war |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-putin-signs-documents-to-unlawfully-claim-4-ukrainian-regions-in/ |url-status=live |access-date=1 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001031159/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-putin-signs-documents-to-unlawfully-claim-4-ukrainian-regions-in/ |archive-date=1 October 2022|quote=Mr. Putin’s claim to more than 15 per cent of Ukraine’s territory is the largest annexation in Europe since the Second World War.}}

The annexation occurred after internationally unrecognized referendums held days prior, which were organized by Russian occupation authorities in territories where hostilities were ongoing and much of the population had fled.{{cite web |last=Walker |first=Shaun |date=23 September 2022 |title='Referendums' on joining Russia under way in occupied Ukraine |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/23/occupied-parts-of-ukraine-prepare-to-vote-on-joining-russia |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930191608/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/23/occupied-parts-of-ukraine-prepare-to-vote-on-joining-russia |archive-date=30 September 2022 |access-date=24 September 2022 |website=the Guardian |quote=So-called "referendums" are under way in areas of Ukraine occupied by Russian troops, with residents told to vote on proposals for the four Ukrainian regions to declare independence and then join Russia.}} It occurred seven months after the start of the invasion and less than a month after the start of the Ukrainian Kharkiv counteroffensive. The signing ceremony was held in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow in the presence of occupation authority heads Leonid Pasechnik, Denis Pushilin, Yevgeny Balitsky and Vladimir Saldo, and Russian president Vladimir Putin.

The annexation is unrecognized by the international community, with the exception of North Korea and Syria.{{Cite news |date=27 September 2022 |title=So-called referenda in Russian-controlled Ukraine 'cannot be regarded as legal': UN political affairs chief |work=UN News |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/09/1128161 |url-status=live |access-date=29 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928072533/https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/09/1128161 |archive-date=28 September 2022}} Ukraine, the European Union, the United States and the United Nations all said that the referendums and the annexation had no legal basis or effect.{{Cite news |last=Trevelyan |first=Mark |date=30 September 2022 |title=Putin declares annexation of Ukrainian lands in Kremlin ceremony |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/putin-declare-annexation-ukrainian-lands-major-escalation-war-2022-09-29/ |access-date=30 September 2022 |archive-date=30 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930191608/https://www.reuters.com/world/putin-declare-annexation-ukrainian-lands-major-escalation-war-2022-09-29/ |url-status=live}} Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in response that Ukraine would apply to join NATO on an expedited basis.{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/zelenskiy-says-ukraine-applying-nato-membership-2022-09-30/ | title=Ukraine applies for NATO membership, rules out Putin talks | newspaper=Reuters | date=30 September 2022 | last=Balmforth | first=Tom | access-date=30 September 2022 | archive-date=30 September 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930173406/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/zelenskiy-says-ukraine-applying-nato-membership-2022-09-30/ | url-status=live}} On 19 October Russia introduced martial law within the annexed and controlled areas, with legislation allowing for bans on public gatherings and other widespread restrictions on personal liberty.{{Cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-declares-martial-law-in-annexed-ukraine-regions-b48b555f547ff6a1a59b1cad17d0e269 |date=19 October 2022 |access-date=19 October 2022 |title=Putin tightens grip on Ukraine and Russia with martial law |newspaper=AP News |archive-date=19 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019122115/https://apnews.com/article/russia-declares-martial-law-in-annexed-ukraine-regions-b48b555f547ff6a1a59b1cad17d0e269 |url-status=live}}

The Ukrainian Kherson and Kharkiv counteroffensives allowed Ukraine to recapture parts of its territory, including Kherson City on 11 November 2022.{{Cite news |last=Kramer |first=Andrew E. |date=13 November 2022 |title=Russia Tried to Absorb a Ukrainian City. It Didn't Work. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/13/world/europe/russia-kherson-ukraine.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221216035317/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/13/world/europe/russia-kherson-ukraine.html |archive-date=16 December 2022 |access-date=23 November 2022 |work=The New York Times}}

Background

{{See also|Russian irredentism|2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine|Russo-Ukrainian War|War in Donbas|2014 Donbas status referendums|Russian invasion of Ukraine|Collaboration with Russia during the Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

File:Russians Ukraine 2001.PNG by region (Census 2001). Russia used the "protection" of ethnic Russians and Russian speakers in Ukraine as one of the pretexts for the invasion and occupation.{{cite news |title=Vladimir Putin's false war claims |url=https://www.dw.com/en/fact-check-do-vladimir-putins-justifications-for-going-to-war-against-ukraine-add-up/a-60917168 |work=Deutsche Welle |date=25 February 2022 |access-date=24 March 2023 |archive-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225162831/https://www.dw.com/en/fact-check-do-vladimir-putins-justifications-for-going-to-war-against-ukraine-add-up/a-60917168 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title='Smells of genocide': How Putin justifies Russia's war in Ukraine |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/9/smells-of-genocide-how-putin-justifies-russias-war-in-ukraine |work=Al Jazeera |date=9 March 2022 |access-date=24 March 2023 |archive-date=27 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327070757/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/9/smells-of-genocide-how-putin-justifies-russias-war-in-ukraine |url-status=live }}]]

Vast regions to the north of the Black Sea were sparsely populated and were known as the Wild Fields (as translated from Polish or Ukrainian). In the 15th century, the entire area of the northern coast of the Black Sea came under the control of the Crimean Khanate, which became a vassal of the Ottoman Empire. The Russian Empire gradually gained control over the area in the 18th century, signing peace treaties with the Cossack Hetmanate and with the Ottoman Empire after the Russo-Turkish Wars. The name Novorossiya entered official usage in 1764. It was further expanded by annexing the Ukrainian Cossack Zaporozhian Sich in 1775.{{Cite book |last=Polonska-Vasylenko |first=Nataliya |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v4oVAAAAIAAJ |title=The Settlement of the Southern Ukraine (1750–1775) |publisher=Ukrainian Academy of Arts and Sciences in the U.S. |year=1955 |page=190 |access-date=2 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603103613/https://books.google.com/books?id=v4oVAAAAIAAJ |archive-date=3 June 2016 |url-status=live}}

The four oblasts in southern and eastern Ukraine originated from Yekaterinoslav, Kherson, Taurida and Kharkov Governorates and Don Host Oblast of the Russian Empire. They were reorganized over the years during Communist rule when Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union. The boundaries remained static after Ukraine became independent in 1991. All four regions overwhelmingly voted in favour of Ukrainian independence during the 1991 Ukrainian independence referendum.{{fact|date=January 2023}}

In February and March 2014, following the revolution in Ukraine, Russia occupied and subsequently annexed Crimea from Ukraine by way of holding a referendum.The annexation was mostly internationally unrecognized and was condemned by the UN General Assembly.{{cite web|url=https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3-CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/a_res_68_262.pdf|title=United Nations A/RES/68/262 General Assembly|date=1 April 2014|publisher=United Nations|access-date=24 April 2014|archive-date=2 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402130517/https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3-CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/a_res_68_262.pdf|url-status=live}} In April 2014, pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine proclaimed the independence of the Donetsk People's Republic (in Ukraine's Donetsk Oblast) and the Luhansk People's Republic (in Ukraine's Luhansk Oblast) with unofficial support from Russia.{{Cite news |date=2014-03-03 |title=Pro-Russia protesters occupy regional government in Ukraine's Donetsk |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-donetsk-protests-idUSBREA220XI20140303 |access-date=2023-08-05}}{{Cite journal |last1=Malyarenko |first1=Tetyana |last2=Galbreath |first2=David |date=2016 |title=Paramilitary motivation in Ukraine: beyond integration and abolition |journal=Southeast European and Black Sea Studies |volume=16 |issue=1 |pages=113–138|doi=10.1080/14683857.2016.1148414 |s2cid=56351688 |url=http://opus.bath.ac.uk/49008/1/Paramilitary_motivation_in_Ukraine2.pdf }}{{Citation |last=MIKHEIEVA |first=OKSANA |title=Motivations of Pro-Russian and Pro-Ukrainian Combatants in the Context of the Russian Military Intervention in the Donbas |date=2021-12-21 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.7829/j.ctv26jp68t.8 |work=The War in Ukraine’s Donbas |pages=67–82 |access-date=2023-08-05 |publisher=Central European University Press|doi=10.7829/j.ctv26jp68t.8 |isbn=9789633864203 |s2cid=245625967 }}

On 21 February 2022, Russia officially recognized the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic and, three days later, started a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, during which they occupied territory in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts, with formal military occupations beginning in the first week.{{Cite news |last=James |first=Liam |date=3 March 2022 |title=Russia claims it has seized Kherson as mayor agrees to conditions to keep city running |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-ukraine-kherson-take-fall-b2027325.html |access-date=30 September 2022 |archive-date=3 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303125420/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-ukraine-kherson-take-fall-b2027325.html |url-status=live}}; {{Cite web |date=8 April 2022 |title=Berdyansk: Life Under Russian Occupation |url=https://iwpr.net/global-voices/berdyansk-life-under-russian-occupation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930204935/https://iwpr.net/global-voices/berdyansk-life-under-russian-occupation |archive-date=30 September 2022 |access-date=30 September 2022 |website=Institute for War and Peace Reporting}} On 23 February, Putin in a televised address announced a "special military operation" in Ukraine,{{cite news |title=Full text: Putin's declaration of war on Ukraine |url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/full-text-putin-s-declaration-of-war-on-ukraine |publisher=The Spectator |date=24 February 2022}} launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.{{cite news|publisher=Deutsche Welle|title=Russia launches massive invasion of Ukraine — live updates|date=24 February 2022|url=https://www.dw.com/en/russia-launches-massive-invasion-of-ukraine-live-updates/a-60893588}} In his speech, Putin claimed that Russia has no plans to occupy Ukrainian territory,{{cite news |title=No need for additional mobilization for special military operation, lawmaker assures |url=https://tass.com/politics/1464625 |work=TASS |date=14 June 2022}} adding: "We are not going to impose anything on anyone by force".

Annexation referendums

On 20 September, the authorities of the Donetsk People's Republic, the Luhansk People's Republic, as well as the occupation regimes of Kherson Oblast and Zaporizhzhia Oblast, announced referendums on joining Russia on 23–27 September.{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/medvedev-says-moscow-backed-separatists-must-hold-referendums-join-russia-2022-09-20/|title=Russia moves to formally annex swathes of Ukraine|date=20 September 2022|publisher=Reuters|access-date=22 September 2022|archive-date=22 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922082509/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/medvedev-says-moscow-backed-separatists-must-hold-referendums-join-russia-2022-09-20/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Война в Украине: ЛНР и ДНР объявили о "референдумах" о присоединении к России 23–27 сентября – Новости на русском языке |url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/live/news-62949139 |access-date=20 September 2022 |website=BBC News Русская служба |language=ru-RU |archive-date=27 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927035522/https://www.bbc.com/russian/live/news-62949139 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=На оккупированных территориях Украины 23–27 сентября проведут "референдумы о присоединении к России". Главное Тем временем в России вводят понятие "мобилизация" в Уголовный кодекс |url=https://meduza.io/feature/2022/09/20/na-okkupirovannyh-territoriyah-ukrainy-23-27-sentyabrya-provedut-referendumy-o-prisoedinenii-k-rossii-glavnoe |access-date=20 September 2022 |website=Meduza |language=ru |archive-date=22 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922050514/https://meduza.io/feature/2022/09/20/na-okkupirovannyh-territoriyah-ukrainy-23-27-sentyabrya-provedut-referendumy-o-prisoedinenii-k-rossii-glavnoe |url-status=live}}

On 27 September, Russian officials claimed that the accession "referendum" in Zaporizhzhia Oblast passed, with 93.11% of voters in favor of joining Russia.{{Cite web |date=27 September 2022 |title=Pro-Moscow officials say 1 occupied area of Ukraine has voted to join Russia |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/pro-moscow-officials-say-one-occupied-area-of-ukraine-has-voted-to-join-russia |access-date=27 September 2022 |website=PBS NewsHour |archive-date=30 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930191609/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/pro-moscow-officials-say-one-occupied-area-of-ukraine-has-voted-to-join-russia |url-status=live}}; {{Cite web |title=Жители Запорожской области голосовали за воссоединение с Россией – Администрация Запорожской области |url=https://zapgov.ru/press-center-news/%d0%b6%d0%b8%d1%82%d0%b5%d0%bb%d0%b8-%d0%b7%d0%b0%d0%bf%d0%be%d1%80%d0%be%d0%b6%d1%81%d0%ba%d0%be%d0%b9-%d0%be%d0%b1%d0%bb%d0%b0%d1%81%d1%82%d0%b8-%d0%b3%d0%be%d0%bb%d0%be%d1%81%d0%be%d0%b2%d0%b0/ |access-date=27 September 2022 |language=ru-RU |archive-date=28 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928000133/https://zapgov.ru/press-center-news/%D0%B6%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%B8-%D0%B7%D0%B0%D0%BF%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B6%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B9-%D0%BE%D0%B1%D0%BB%D0%B0%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B8-%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0/ |url-status=live}}

Proclamations of independence of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia

{{Multiple image|perrow = 2|total_width=230

| image1 = Putin decree Zaporizhzhia Oblast (2022-09-29).pdf

| image2 = Putin decree Kherson Oblast (2022-09-29).pdf

| footer = Russian Presidential decrees No. 685 (left) and No. 686 (right), recognizing the independence of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts.

}}

Following the annexation referendums in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, the Russian military-civilian administrations of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia proclaimed independence as an intermediate step for Russian annexation.{{Cite web |title=Запорожская ВГА заявила о выходе региона из состава Украины |url=https://www.rbc.ru/politics/28/09/2022/6333e3769a79477bfcd1a2ef |access-date=28 September 2022 |website=РБК |date=28 September 2022 |language=ru |archive-date=28 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928065156/https://www.rbc.ru/politics/28/09/2022/6333e3769a79477bfcd1a2ef |url-status=live }}{{verification failed|date=March 2023}} The day after the referendums were held, the KMCA proclaimed the independence of the 'Kherson region'.{{cite web |title=Residents of the Kherson region determined their future |url=https://khogov.ru/press-center-news/%d0%b6%d0%b8%d1%82%d0%b5%d0%bb%d0%b8-%d1%85%d0%b5%d1%80%d1%81%d0%be%d0%bd%d1%81%d0%ba%d0%be%d0%b9-%d0%be%d0%b1%d0%bb%d0%b0%d1%81%d1%82%d0%b8-%d0%be%d0%bf%d1%80%d0%b5%d0%b4%d0%b5%d0%bb%d0%b8%d0%bb/ |website=khogov.ru |publisher=Kherson military-civilian administration |access-date=24 December 2022 |archive-date=24 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224033131/https://khogov.ru/press-center-news/%D0%B6%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%B8-%D1%85%D0%B5%D1%80%D1%81%D0%BE%D0%BD%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B9-%D0%BE%D0%B1%D0%BB%D0%B0%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B8-%D0%BE%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%B8%D0%BB/ |url-status=live }}{{verification failed|date=March 2023}} The ZMCA did the same for Zaporizhzhia, proclaiming independence for the 'Zaporozhye region'.{{Cite web |date=27 September 2022 |title=Pro-Moscow officials say 1 occupied area of Ukraine has voted to join Russia |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/pro-moscow-officials-say-one-occupied-area-of-ukraine-has-voted-to-join-russia |access-date=27 September 2022 |website=PBS NewsHour|archive-date=30 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930191609/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/pro-moscow-officials-say-one-occupied-area-of-ukraine-has-voted-to-join-russia |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Жители Запорожской области голосовали за воссоединение с Россией – Администрация Запорожской области |url=https://zapgov.ru/press-center-news/%d0%b6%d0%b8%d1%82%d0%b5%d0%bb%d0%b8-%d0%b7%d0%b0%d0%bf%d0%be%d1%80%d0%be%d0%b6%d1%81%d0%ba%d0%be%d0%b9-%d0%be%d0%b1%d0%bb%d0%b0%d1%81%d1%82%d0%b8-%d0%b3%d0%be%d0%bb%d0%be%d1%81%d0%be%d0%b2%d0%b0/ |access-date=27 September 2022 |language=ru-RU |archive-date=28 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928000133/https://zapgov.ru/press-center-news/%D0%B6%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%B8-%D0%B7%D0%B0%D0%BF%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B6%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B9-%D0%BE%D0%B1%D0%BB%D0%B0%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B8-%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0/ |url-status=live}}{{verification failed|date=March 2023}}

On 29 September, Russia recognized Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions as independent countries, hours before annexing them.{{Citation |title=Russia-Ukraine updates: Kremlin says recognizes Kherson, Zaporizhzhia {{!}} DW {{!}} September 29, 2022 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/russia-ukraine-updates-kremlin-says-recognizes-kherson-zaporizhzhia/a-63275377 |access-date=2022-09-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001202448/https://www.dw.com/en/russia-ukraine-updates-kremlin-says-recognizes-kherson-zaporizhzhia/a-63275377 |archive-date=1 October 2022 |url-status=live |publisher=dw.com}}{{Cite news |title=Putin Signs Independence Decrees In Precursor To Seizing Ukrainian Regions |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/putin-to-accept-ukrainian-regions-into-russia-sham-referendums/32057599.html |access-date=2022-09-30 |website=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty|archive-date=1 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001213956/https://www.rferl.org/a/putin-to-accept-ukrainian-regions-into-russia-sham-referendums/32057599.html |url-status=live}}

Annexation proceedings and borders

{{Multiple image

| perrow = 2

| total_width = 300

| image1 = President Vladimir Putin with Russian-installed leaders of the four regions 2.jpg

| image2 = VladimirPutinDenisPushilin.jpg

| footer = Vladimir Putin with pro-Russian leaders of the regions on 30 September 2022 (left).
Putin and Denis Pushilin at the "People's Choice. Together Forever" concert (right), a state-held rally held after the annexation.

}}

File:Map of Ukraine, including disputed regions.svg) and 2022 (others). Parts of Mykolaiv Oblast claimed to have been annexed into Kherson Oblast are included; part of Kharkiv Oblast under Russian control at the time are not included.]]

On 30 September, Putin signed accession treaties with the four pro-Russian leaders of the regions, Leonid Pasechnik, Head of the Luhansk People's Republic; Denis Pushilin, Head of the Donetsk People's Republic; Yevgeny Balitsky, governor of the Zaporizhzhia Oblast; and Volodymyr Saldo, governor of the Kherson Oblast. The exact boundaries of the territories declared annexed were, however, not legally defined, with the drafts of final annexation documents recursively referring to territories "on the day of the admission to the Russian Federation" and on the day of "the formation of a new constituent entity within the Russian Federation", both being prospective future events.{{Cite web |title=Определены границы новых регионов России |url=https://www.uralinform.ru/news/politics/354715-opredeleny-granicy-novyh-regionov-rossii/ |quote=The boundaries of the territory of the Donetsk People's Republic are determined by the boundaries of the territory of the Donetsk People's Republic as established by the Constitution of the Donetsk People's Republic on the day of its formation and on the day of the admission to the Russian Federation of the Donetsk People's Republic and the formation of a new constituent entity within the Russian Federation. |access-date=3 October 2022 |archive-date=2 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002161746/https://www.uralinform.ru/news/politics/354715-opredeleny-granicy-novyh-regionov-rossii/ |url-status=live}}

Hours after the declared annexation, the Ukrainian army recaptured several towns in Donetsk Oblast as part of the 2022 Ukrainian Kharkiv counteroffensive.

At the time of the annexation proceedings in early October, Russian authorities stated that the Luhansk People's Republic and Donetsk People's Republic (collectively called the Donbas) would maintain their 2014 borders.{{cite web |title=Russia vows to keep consulting people in Kherson, Zaporozhye Regions over their borders |url=https://tass.com/politics/1517135 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004033444/https://tass.com/politics/1517135 |archive-date=2022-10-04 |agency=TASS |date=4 October 2022}} They also stated that elsewhere, the new Russian border was not clearly defined, and would be defined in consultation with local residents.{{cite news |last1=Styllis |first1=George |last2=McTaggart |first2=India |last3=Millimaci |first3=Grace |title=Russia admits borders of two annexed regions are unclear |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/10/03/russia-ukraine-war-live-news-lyman-reclaim-zelensky-putin/ |work=The Telegraph |date=3 October 2022 |access-date=5 November 2022 |archive-date=26 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026063748/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/10/03/russia-ukraine-war-live-news-lyman-reclaim-zelensky-putin/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Russia to 'Consult' Locals on Annexed Ukraine Regions' Borders – Kremlin |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/10/03/russia-to-consult-locals-on-annexed-ukraine-regions-borders-kremlin-a78951 |work=The Moscow Times |date=3 October 2022 |access-date=5 November 2022 |archive-date=5 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105193540/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/10/03/russia-to-consult-locals-on-annexed-ukraine-regions-borders-kremlin-a78951 |url-status=live }} It was also stated that Russian-held parts of Mykolaiv Oblast would be incorporated into Russian-controlled Kherson Province.{{cite news |title=Russian-held parts of Ukraine's Mykolaiv region to be incorporated in Russian-held Kherson |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-held-parts-ukraines-mykolaiv-region-be-incorporated-russian-held-kherson-2022-09-21/ |work=Reuters |agency=Reuters |date=21 September 2022 |access-date=5 November 2022 |archive-date=20 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020174055/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-held-parts-ukraines-mykolaiv-region-be-incorporated-russian-held-kherson-2022-09-21/ |url-status=live }}

Russia did not hold the entirety of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts; at the time, it held about 60% of Donetsk Oblast, most of Luhansk Oblast, almost all of Kherson Oblast, and about 70% of Zaporizhzhia Oblast.{{cite news |title=Factbox: The four regions that Russia is poised to annex from Ukraine |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/four-regions-that-russia-is-poised-annex-ukraine-2022-09-30/ |work=Reuters |date=30 September 2022 |access-date=5 November 2022 |archive-date=18 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418151233/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/four-regions-that-russia-is-poised-annex-ukraine-2022-09-30/ |url-status=live }} It held almost none of Mykolaiv Oblast, and had recently lost all but a small part of the areas it had controlled in Kharkiv Oblast; Ukrainian intelligence claimed to have obtained documents indicating that a planned annexation referendum in Kharkiv Oblast was cancelled as a result of these losses.{{cite news |title=Russias plans for November "referendum" in Kharkiv region revealed: 75% were supposed to vote to join Russia |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/russias-plans-november-referendum-kharkiv-132922164.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925015049/https://www.yahoo.com/news/russias-plans-november-referendum-kharkiv-132922164.html |archive-date=2022-09-25 |agency=Ukrainska Pravda |date=25 September 2022}}

It was not clear whether Russia was claiming those portions of the named oblasts which it does not hold under military control.{{cite news |title=Kremlin: Russia to consult before delimiting Ukraine regions it claims |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/kremlin-russia-consult-before-delimiting-ukraine-regions-it-claims-2022-10-03/ |work=Reuters |date=3 October 2022 |access-date=5 November 2022 |archive-date=5 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105193544/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/kremlin-russia-consult-before-delimiting-ukraine-regions-it-claims-2022-10-03/ |url-status=live }} Russian authorities did state that all of the Donetsk region would be treated as part of Russia, and that the portion not under Russian control would be "liberated".{{cite news |last=Kirby |first=Paul |title=What Russian annexation means for Ukraine's regions |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-63086767 |work=BBC News |date=30 September 2022 |quote=Even Mr Peskov was unable to define where Russia would draw its new borders in occupied southern Ukraine. However, he said Russia would treat all of the Donetsk region as part of Russia. As for those parts not under occupation, he said those would have to be "liberated". |access-date=6 November 2022 |archive-date=6 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221106003346/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-63086767 |url-status=live }} The areas which were controlled by Russia at the time{{cite news |last1=Karklis |first1=Laris |last2=Cunningham |first2=Erin |title=Three maps that explain Russia's annexations and losses in Ukraine |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/09/30/map-ukraine-regions-annexation-russia/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=5 November 2022 |date=30 September 2022 |archive-date=9 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109234452/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/09/30/map-ukraine-regions-annexation-russia/ |url-status=live }}{{refn|1=Taking oblast areas, in thousands of km², from the Wikipedia articles on the respective oblasts, and the rough percentage of each oblast held, as described in this section, 0.7*27.183+28.461+0.6*26.517+26.684=90.083 thousand square kilometers}} amount to about 15% of Ukraine's total area, more than {{cvt|90000|km2}}—roughly the size of Hungary or Portugal.{{Cite news |last1=Faulconbridge |first1=Guy |last2=Light |first2=Felix |date=22 September 2022 |title=Explainer: Russia unfolds annexation plan for Ukraine |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-unfolds-annexation-plan-ukraine-2022-09-20/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922125240/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-unfolds-annexation-plan-ukraine-2022-09-20/ |archive-date=22 September 2022 |access-date=22 September 2022 |website=Reuters}}

On 3 October, Putin's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics will be annexed in "their 2014 borders", while as for the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts Russia will "continue consultations with the residents as to their borders".{{Cite web |date=3 October 2022 |title=Песков: Россия продолжит советоваться с населением Херсонской и Запорожской областей по вопросу границ |url=https://rg.ru/2022/10/03/peskov-dal-raziasneniia-po-granicam-novyh-oblastej.html |access-date=3 October 2022 |website=Российская газета |archive-date=3 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003172009/https://rg.ru/2022/10/03/peskov-dal-raziasneniia-po-granicam-novyh-oblastej.html |url-status=live}} These comments caused confusion and polemics among supporters of the annexation in Russia, with former Ukrainian parliamentarian and Russian collaborator Oleg Tsaryov arguing "there is no 2014 borders" of DNR and LNR.{{Cite web |title=Олег Царёв |url=https://t.me/olegtsarov/3611 |access-date=3 October 2022 |website=Telegram |archive-date=3 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003172007/https://t.me/olegtsarov/3611 |url-status=live}}

Russia's State Duma unanimously rubber stamped the annexations on 3 October.{{Cite news | newspaper=The Washington Post | first=Robyn | last=Dixon | title=In two more staged votes, Russian parliament moves to ratify annexation | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/10/03/russia-duma-ratify-annexation-ukraine/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003230255/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/10/03/russia-duma-ratify-annexation-ukraine/ | archive-date=3 October 2022 | date=3 October 2022 | accessdate=4 October 2022 | url-status=bot: unknown}} The annexation of each oblast received more "yes" votes than there were lawmakers present. Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin blamed the discrepancies on a "technical failure". The Federation Council approved the annexations not long afterwards and President Putin signed them into law.{{cite news |title=Russia's Putin signs laws annexing occupied Ukrainian regions |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/10/5/putin-signs-laws-annexing-4-ukrainian-regions |access-date=12 March 2023 |work=Al Jazeera English |date=5 Oct 2022 |archive-date=5 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005125124/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/10/5/putin-signs-laws-annexing-4-ukrainian-regions |url-status=live }} The annexation was carried out also in violation of Russian law.{{Cite web|lang=ru|url=https://meduza.io/episodes/2022/10/04/rossiya-zavershila-anneksiyu-okkupirovannyh-territoriy-ukrainy-i-eto-absolyutno-nezakonno-dazhe-s-tochki-zreniya-nyneshnego-rossiyskogo-prava|title=Россия завершила аннексию оккупированных территорий Украины. И это абсолютно незаконно — даже с точки зрения нынешнего российского права|website=Meduza|date=2022-10-04|access-date=2023-04-19|quote=}}

Consequences

File:Annexation of Southern and Eastern Ukraine.svg and 2022, with a red line marking the area of actual control by Russia on 30 September 2022]]

On 1 October, Russia began requiring Ukrainians wishing to cross into Ukrainian-held areas to fill out exit visas and get permission in advance. The number of people arriving from areas of Russian control slowed to a trickle, with talk of a "new Iron Curtain".{{cite news |last=Adams |first=Paul |title=Ukraine war: The families who made it through the new Iron Curtain |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-63137511 |work=BBC News |date=4 October 2022 |access-date=5 November 2022 |archive-date=5 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105193540/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-63137511 |url-status=live }} Getting permission to leave can take up to two weeks and requires clearances from various Russian security agencies.{{cite news |last1=Loveluck |first1=Louisa |last2=Rauhala |first2=Emily |last3=Dixon |first3=Robyn |title=Russia imposes border rules in Zaporizhzhia to solidify illegal annexation |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/10/12/ukraine-zaporizhzhia-kherson-russia-annexation/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109234444/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/10/12/ukraine-zaporizhzhia-kherson-russia-annexation/ |archive-date=9 November 2022 |access-date=5 November 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}

On 19 October, President Vladimir Putin declared martial law in the annexed areas.{{Cite web |last=Pavlova |first=Uliana |date=19 October 2022 |title=Putin declares martial law in four occupied regions as Kyiv presses offensive |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/19/europe/putin-russia-martial-law-intl/index.html |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=CNN |archive-date=19 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019125436/https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/19/europe/putin-russia-martial-law-intl/index.html |url-status=live}}

Newsweek reported in September 2022 that some estimates suggest that the reconstruction of the annexed territories would cost Russia between $100 and $200 billion.{{cite news |title=Putin's Victory in Taking Donbas Will Cost Him Billions |url=https://www.newsweek.com/putin-taking-donbas-will-cost-billions-russia-ukraine-war-1747655 |work=Newsweek |date=29 September 2022 |access-date=29 September 2022 |archive-date=30 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930191609/https://www.newsweek.com/putin-taking-donbas-will-cost-billions-russia-ukraine-war-1747655 |url-status=live|quote=Some estimates suggest that it would cost between $100 billion and $200 billion to rebuild the civilian infrastructure, like bridges and buildings, that has been decimated by the war.}} A state budget published on 29 September by the Kremlin revealed that 3.3 billion roubles (about US$59 million) had been set aside to rebuild the regions.{{cite news |title=Putin to sign treaty annexing territories in Ukraine, Kremlin says |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/29/putin-to-sign-treaty-annexing-territories-in-ukraine-kremlin-says |work=The Guardian |date=29 September 2022 |access-date=29 September 2022 |archive-date=29 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929200211/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/29/putin-to-sign-treaty-annexing-territories-in-ukraine-kremlin-says |url-status=live}}

In December 2022, Peskov said that any peace plans to end the Russo-Ukrainian War can only proceed from Ukraine's recognition of Russia's annexation of occupied regions in September 2022.{{cite news |title=British Defense Ministry Notes 'Continued Churn of Senior Russian Officials' |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/british-defense-ministry-notes-continued-churn-of-senior-russian-officials-/6897645.html |work=VOA News |date=30 December 2022 |access-date=5 January 2023 |archive-date=3 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103145653/https://www.voanews.com/a/british-defense-ministry-notes-continued-churn-of-senior-russian-officials-/6897645.html |url-status=live }} In January 2023, Putin cited recognition of Russia's sovereignty over the annexed territories as a condition for peace talks with Ukraine.{{cite news |title=Putin Signals Readiness for Peace Talks if Kyiv Cedes Occupied Regions |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/01/05/putin-signals-readiness-for-peace-talks-if-kyiv-cedes-occupied-regions-a79877 |work=The Moscow Times |date=5 January 2023 |access-date=24 March 2023 |archive-date=24 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324094745/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/01/05/putin-signals-readiness-for-peace-talks-if-kyiv-cedes-occupied-regions-a79877 |url-status=live }}

In July 2024, Chief of the General Staff of the British Army Roland Walker said that with the current way of fighting, it would take Russia five years to fully control the four annexed regions, and it would cost Russia more than 1.5 million casualties.{{cite news |title=Russia would lose up to 1.8 million troops and take 5 years to capture the 4 Ukrainian regions it wants: UK army chief |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-war-four-regions-russia-lose-1-million-troops-walker-2024-7 |work=Business Insider |date=25 July 2024}} He said there were "no winners" in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, adding that "it is an utter devastation for both sides and lost generations."{{cite news |title=Russia 'would have to lose over 1.5 million soldiers' to achieve Ukraine war goals, new head of British army claims |url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/russia-lose-million-soldiers-to-achieve-ukraine-war-goals/ |work=LBC |date=24 July 2024}}

Speech by Putin

File:Vladimir Putin 2022 Annexation Speech.jpg

Russian president Vladimir Putin delivered a 37-minute-long speech to both chambers of the Russian parliament about the annexation of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts into Russia.{{Cite news |title='Russia! Russia!' – chants end Putin's Ukraine speech |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-63094687 |access-date=2022-10-01 |archive-date=16 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016231052/https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-63094687 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Landay |first=Jonathan |date=30 September 2022 |title=Defiant Putin proclaims Ukrainian annexation as military setback looms |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/putin-host-kremlin-ceremony-annexing-parts-ukraine-2022-09-29/ |access-date=2022-10-01 |archive-date=6 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006084106/https://www.reuters.com/world/putin-host-kremlin-ceremony-annexing-parts-ukraine-2022-09-29/ |url-status=live}} He spoke in the St. George Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace in the Moscow Kremlin.{{Cite web |date=30 September 2022 |title=Putin's annexation speech: more angry taxi driver than head of state |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/30/putin-annexation-speech-more-angry-taxi-driver-than-head-of-state-ukraine |access-date=2022-10-01 |website=the Guardian |archive-date=6 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006222611/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/30/putin-annexation-speech-more-angry-taxi-driver-than-head-of-state-ukraine |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Putin's speech on annexation: What exactly did he say? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/9/30/russia-ukraine-war-putins-annexation-speech-what-did-he-say |access-date=2022-10-01 |website=aljazeera.com |archive-date=18 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018130648/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/9/30/russia-ukraine-war-putins-annexation-speech-what-did-he-say |url-status=live}} The tone of the speech was strongly anti-American and anti-Western, to the point where observers described it as his most anti-Western speech to date.{{Cite web |date=30 September 2022 |title=Putin annexes four regions of Ukraine in major escalation of Russia's war |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/30/putin-russia-war-annexes-ukraine-regions |access-date=2022-10-02 |website=the Guardian |archive-date=1 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001000622/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/30/putin-russia-war-annexes-ukraine-regions |url-status=live}}

Following the results of recent referendums on the annexation of occupied territories of Ukraine by Russia—which were condemned as shams by independent observers and the international community—Putin said that it was the "will of millions of people" in these territories to become part of Russia and to become Russian citizens "forever". He cited Article 1 of the UN charter as justification for his claims.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/9/30/putin-announces-russian-annexation-of-four-ukrainian-regions|title=Putin announces Russian annexation of four Ukrainian regions|website=www.aljazeera.com|access-date=20 October 2022|archive-date=19 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019193727/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/9/30/putin-announces-russian-annexation-of-four-ukrainian-regions|url-status=live}}

Within the speech, Putin spoke about the colonial past of the Western world, denouncing its "totalitarianism, despotism and apartheid", and accused it of attempting to create a neo-colonial and unipolar world order. He said that the West intended to destroy Russia as a nation, and called "the ruling circles of the so-called West" "the enemy"{{Cite news |last1=Troianovski |first1=Anton |last2=Hopkins |first2=Valerie |date=30 September 2022 |title=With Bluster and Threats, Putin Casts the West as the Enemy |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/30/world/europe/putin-speech-ukraine-russia.html |access-date=2022-10-02 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=7 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007085256/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/30/world/europe/putin-speech-ukraine-russia.html |url-status=live}} threatening religion and morality, accusing the West of Satanism.

Putin also blamed the recent Nord Stream gas leaks on the "Anglo-Saxons" and said that the use of nuclear weapons by the US on Hiroshima and Nagasaki "set a precedent".

Reactions

{{See also|2022 annexation referendums in Russian-occupied Ukraine#Reactions}}

File:United Nations General Assembly resolution ES-11 L.5 vote.svg adopted Resolution ES 11/4 declaring that the staged referendums and attempted annexation are invalid and illegal under international law.
{{Legend|#74C365|In favour: 143}}{{Legend|#ab4e52|Against: 5}}{{Legend|#FADA5E|Abstained: 35}}{{Legend|#89CFF0|Absent: 10}}]]{{Wikinews|United Nations denounces Russian annexation of Ukrainian territories}}

According to Reuters, if Russia "formally annexed a vast additional chunk of Ukraine, Putin would essentially be daring the United States and its European allies to risk a direct military confrontation", and would certainly escalate the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.{{Cite news |last1=Faulconbridge |first1=Guy |last2=Light |first2=Felix |date=22 September 2022 |title=Russia moves to formally annex swathes of Ukraine |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/medvedev-says-moscow-backed-separatists-must-hold-referendums-join-russia-2022-09-20/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922082509/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/medvedev-says-moscow-backed-separatists-must-hold-referendums-join-russia-2022-09-20/ |archive-date=22 September 2022 |access-date=22 September 2022 |website=Reuters}}

The UN's Under Secretary General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo rejected the referendum and said, "Unilateral actions aimed to provide a veneer of legitimacy to the attempted acquisition by force by one State of another State's territory while claiming to represent the will of the people, cannot be regarded as legal under international law".{{Cite news| title=So-called referenda in Russian-controlled Ukraine 'cannot be regarded as legal': UN political affairs chief| work=UN News| url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/09/1128161| date=27 September 2022| access-date=29 September 2022| archive-date=28 September 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928072533/https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/09/1128161| url-status=live}}

A United Nations Security Council meeting was held on 30 September 2022, to vote on a resolution to condemn Russia for annexing these territories, resulting in ten yes votes, one no vote, and four abstentions. The resolution failed because Russia vetoed it. Brazil, China, Gabon and India abstained from the vote.{{Efn|Yes: France, United Kingdom, United States, Albania, Ghana, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico, Norway, United Arab Emirates
Abstention: Brazil, China, Gabon, India
No: Russia{{cite web |title=Russia vetoes Security Council resolution condemning attempted annexation of Ukraine regions |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/09/1129102 |website=UN News |date=30 September 2022 |publisher=United Nations |access-date=30 September 2022 |archive-date=1 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001075010/https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/09/1129102 |url-status=live}}}}

On 12 October 2022, the UN General Assembly passed Resolution ES-11/4, titled "Territorial integrity of Ukraine: defending the principles of the Charter of the United Nations", with 143 nations voting in favor, 5 against and 35 abstaining. It condemned the "illegal so-called referendums" and the "attempted illegal annexation" and demanded that Russia immediately reverse its decisions and withdraw its forces from Ukraine.{{Cite web |date=12 October 2022 |title=UN General Assembly condemns Russian pseudo-referendums in occupied Ukrainian territories |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3592070-un-general-assembly-condemns-russian-pseudoreferendums-in-occupied-ukrainian-territories.html |access-date=2022-10-13 |website=Ukrinform |archive-date=13 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013020515/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3592070-un-general-assembly-condemns-russian-pseudoreferendums-in-occupied-ukrainian-territories.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last1=Korea |first1=Republic of |last2=Moldova |first2=Republic of |last3=Tobago |first3=Trinidad and |date=7 October 2022 |title=Territorial integrity of Ukraine : defending the principles of the Charter of the United Nations |url=https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/3989859 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013155617/https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/3989859 |archive-date=13 October 2022 |access-date=13 October 2022 |website=digitallibrary.un.org}}

Only North Korea and Syria have recognized the Russian annexation of four partially occupied regions of Ukraine.{{cite web | url=https://m-en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20221004002600325 | title=N. Korea supports Russia's proclaimed annexation of Ukrainian territory | date=4 October 2022 | access-date=12 October 2022 | archive-date=9 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009042311/https://m-en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20221004002600325 | url-status=live}}{{cite web | url=https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-03-16-23/h_f05a96e19cb5caaf1c219c2d57704ba5 | title=Syria's Assad recognizes territories claimed by Russia in Ukraine as Russian | date=March 16, 2023 | access-date=25 March 2023 | archive-date=25 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325181639/https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-03-16-23/h_f05a96e19cb5caaf1c219c2d57704ba5 | url-status=live }}

A YouGov poll showed that in February 2023, 63% of respondents in Sweden wanted to support Ukraine in a war with Russia until Russian troops leave all occupied territories.{{cite news |title=One year on: European and American attitudes to the war in Ukraine |url=https://yougov.co.uk/topics/international/articles-reports/2023/02/24/one-year-european-and-american-attitudes-war-ukrai |work=YouGov |date=24 February 2023}} A Gallup poll conducted in June 2023 found that 62% of respondents in the United States wanted to support Ukraine in regaining territory that Russia had captured, even if it meant prolonging the war between Russia and Ukraine, while 32% wanted to end the war as quickly as possible, even if it meant allowing Russia to keep the territory it conquered in southeastern Ukraine.{{cite news |title=Most Americans Still Support Ukraine War Effort |url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/508037/americans-support-ukraine-war-effort.aspx |work=Gallup |date=29 June 2023}}

On September 9, 2023, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement condemning the "sham 'elections{{'"}} held in parts of Ukraine.{{cite news |title=Azerbaijani MFA issued statement condemning so-called "elections" in a number of territories of Ukraine |url=https://apa.az/en/foreign-policy/azerbaijani-mfa-issued-statement-condemning-so-called-elections-in-a-number-of-territories-of-ukraine-411422 |access-date=9 September 2023 |work=Apa.az}}{{cite web |title=No:475/23, Statement on sham "elections" in certain territories of Ukraine |url=https://mfa.gov.az/en/news/no47523|access-date=9 September 2023 |website=Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs |date=9 September 2023}}

= Ukrainian response =

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."{{Cite news |date=7 August 2022 |title=Ukraine's Zelenskiy rules out talks if Russia holds referendums |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/zelenskiy-no-talks-if-russia-stages-referendums-2022-08-07/ |access-date=23 September 2022 |archive-date=30 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930191610/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/zelenskiy-no-talks-if-russia-stages-referendums-2022-08-07/ |url-status=live}} Following the annexation ceremony, Zelenskyy declared that Ukraine would not negotiate with Russia "as long as Putin is president", and requested a "fast-track" NATO membership in response.{{cite news|title=Kyiv requests fast-track NATO membership: Zelenskyy|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2022/09/30/Kyiv-requests-fast-track-NATO-membership-Zelenskyy|work=Al Arabiya|date=30 September 2022|access-date=30 September 2022|archive-date=30 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930191611/https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2022/09/30/Kyiv-requests-fast-track-NATO-membership-Zelenskyy|url-status=live}}

In the poll conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) between 13 and 18 May 2022, 82% of Ukrainians said they did not support any territorial concessions to Russia, even if that meant prolonging the war.{{cite news |title=Most Ukrainians rule out any territorial concessions to end war |url=https://www.businesslive.co.za/bloomberg/news/2022-05-24-most-ukrainians-rule-out-any-territorial-concessions-to-end-war/ |work=Bloomberg |date=24 May 2022 |access-date=16 October 2022 |archive-date=26 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626003408/https://www.businesslive.co.za/bloomberg/news/2022-05-24-most-ukrainians-rule-out-any-territorial-concessions-to-end-war/ |url-status=dead }} Another KIIS poll conducted in September 2022 found that 87% of Ukrainians opposed any territorial concessions to Russia.{{cite news |title=Nearly 90% of Ukrainians oppose territorial concessions to Russia - poll |url=https://www.euronews.com/2022/09/16/ukraine-crisis-concessions-poll |work=Euronews |date=16 September 2022 |access-date=16 October 2022}}

On 29 September, Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to Zelenskyy, said that the Russian plans to annex parts of Ukraine "do not make legal sense" and that the annexation ceremony was a "Kremlin freak show".{{Cite news |date=29 September 2022 |title=Ukrainian presidential adviser denounces 'Kremlin freak show' |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukrainian-presidential-adviser-denounces-kremlin-freak-show-2022-09-29/ |access-date=2022-10-05 |archive-date=5 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005091156/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukrainian-presidential-adviser-denounces-kremlin-freak-show-2022-09-29/ |url-status=live}}

The Ukrainian Kherson and Kharkiv counteroffensives allowed Ukraine to recapture parts of its territory, including the city of Kherson on 11 November.