٠٠:٠٣:١٧The Head of the Lugansk People's Republic (LPR) Leonid Pasechnik cast his ballot in the referendum on joining Russia, on the final day of voting on Tuesday.
Pasechnik said that the results would be announced later that same day.
"As of today I think that the referendum has practically taken place anyway. I think I will tell you about this in the evening when there are preliminary results of the vote," he promised.
The LPR chief also said that he considers the voting legitimate, despite condemnation from Kiev and its supporters,
"So no matter who says what, our pro-Western opponents will probably want to dispute the referendum results somehow and say that we were forced here. I can say with absolute confidence that this is absolutely untrue, you have all seen the turnout," he claimed.
LPR Central Election Commission chairperson Elena Kravchenko said that by the end of the fourth day of voting on Monday, the turnout had reached 83.61 percent.
The local governments of the LPR and the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), as well as those established in Kherson and Zaporozhye after the regions came under Russian control, announced last week that voting would take place from September 23-27.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that he was ready to support the decisions taken, with his country prepared 'to provide the safe environment' and let the people 'express their will'.
Ukraine and its Western allies have described the voting as a 'sham'. On Friday, Mykhailo Podolya, advisor to the head of the Ukrainian President’s Office, described the exercise as a 'propaganda show'.
France and Germany vowed not to recognise the results, while EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell claimed those involved in organising them 'will be held accountable'.
US President Joe Biden said that Russia had 'violated the basic principles of the UN Charter' and also made 'open nuclear threats against Europe'.
Moscow launched the military offensive in Ukraine earlier this year, after recognising the independence of the DPR and LPR.
Kiev condemned the action, while President Volodymyr Zelensky ordered martial law and full mobilisation in February.
LPR: Head of Republic Pasechnik votes in referendum on becoming part of Russia
The Head of the Lugansk People's Republic (LPR) Leonid Pasechnik cast his ballot in the referendum on joining Russia, on the final day of voting on Tuesday.
Pasechnik said that the results would be announced later that same day.
"As of today I think that the referendum has practically taken place anyway. I think I will tell you about this in the evening when there are preliminary results of the vote," he promised.
The LPR chief also said that he considers the voting legitimate, despite condemnation from Kiev and its supporters,
"So no matter who says what, our pro-Western opponents will probably want to dispute the referendum results somehow and say that we were forced here. I can say with absolute confidence that this is absolutely untrue, you have all seen the turnout," he claimed.
LPR Central Election Commission chairperson Elena Kravchenko said that by the end of the fourth day of voting on Monday, the turnout had reached 83.61 percent.
The local governments of the LPR and the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), as well as those established in Kherson and Zaporozhye after the regions came under Russian control, announced last week that voting would take place from September 23-27.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that he was ready to support the decisions taken, with his country prepared 'to provide the safe environment' and let the people 'express their will'.
Ukraine and its Western allies have described the voting as a 'sham'. On Friday, Mykhailo Podolya, advisor to the head of the Ukrainian President’s Office, described the exercise as a 'propaganda show'.
France and Germany vowed not to recognise the results, while EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell claimed those involved in organising them 'will be held accountable'.
US President Joe Biden said that Russia had 'violated the basic principles of the UN Charter' and also made 'open nuclear threats against Europe'.
Moscow launched the military offensive in Ukraine earlier this year, after recognising the independence of the DPR and LPR.
Kiev condemned the action, while President Volodymyr Zelensky ordered martial law and full mobilisation in February.
The Head of the Lugansk People's Republic (LPR) Leonid Pasechnik cast his ballot in the referendum on joining Russia, on the final day of voting on Tuesday.
Pasechnik said that the results would be announced later that same day.
"As of today I think that the referendum has practically taken place anyway. I think I will tell you about this in the evening when there are preliminary results of the vote," he promised.
The LPR chief also said that he considers the voting legitimate, despite condemnation from Kiev and its supporters,
"So no matter who says what, our pro-Western opponents will probably want to dispute the referendum results somehow and say that we were forced here. I can say with absolute confidence that this is absolutely untrue, you have all seen the turnout," he claimed.
LPR Central Election Commission chairperson Elena Kravchenko said that by the end of the fourth day of voting on Monday, the turnout had reached 83.61 percent.
The local governments of the LPR and the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), as well as those established in Kherson and Zaporozhye after the regions came under Russian control, announced last week that voting would take place from September 23-27.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that he was ready to support the decisions taken, with his country prepared 'to provide the safe environment' and let the people 'express their will'.
Ukraine and its Western allies have described the voting as a 'sham'. On Friday, Mykhailo Podolya, advisor to the head of the Ukrainian President’s Office, described the exercise as a 'propaganda show'.
France and Germany vowed not to recognise the results, while EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell claimed those involved in organising them 'will be held accountable'.
US President Joe Biden said that Russia had 'violated the basic principles of the UN Charter' and also made 'open nuclear threats against Europe'.
Moscow launched the military offensive in Ukraine earlier this year, after recognising the independence of the DPR and LPR.
Kiev condemned the action, while President Volodymyr Zelensky ordered martial law and full mobilisation in February.