01:53Mandatory credit: TV channel Lugansk 24 / Music at source may be subject to copyright restrictions
A car rally under the slogan 'Way home' in support of referendum in Lugansk People’s Republic to join Russian Federation was held in Lugansk on Friday.
Tens of cars decorated with Russian flags drove through the streets of the city escorted by police vehicles.
"Local residents addressed us, the youth of Lugansk People’s Republic, in order to organise the car rally. All those who wanted to participate are here now. Today is the first day of the car rally. We start to drive through the whole city, driving through all the districts, and we will end [the car rally] in the city centre," said the deputy of LPR City Council Denis Kolesnikov.
The local governments of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, as well as those established in Kherson and Zaporozhye after the regions came under Russian control, announced earlier this week that the referendum would take place on September 23-27.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was ready to support the decisions of the areas, with Russia prepared to 'ensure safe conditions' for the votes and let people 'express their will'.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the 'pseudo-referendum', while his press secretary Sergei Nikiforov claimed that the action meant there would be no chance of a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan described them as 'sham referenda', while President Joe Biden said 'Russia has violated the basic principles of the UN Charter' and had also made 'open nuclear threats against Europe'.
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said their countries would not recognise the results, while EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell said those involved in organising them 'will be held accountable'. Moscow launched the military offensive in Ukraine earlier this year, after recognising the independence of the LPR and DPR.
Kiev condemned the action, while Zelensky ordered martial law and full mobilisation in February.
LPR: Lugansk holds car rally in favour of referendum on joining Russia
A car rally under the slogan 'Way home' in support of referendum in Lugansk People’s Republic to join Russian Federation was held in Lugansk on Friday.
Tens of cars decorated with Russian flags drove through the streets of the city escorted by police vehicles.
"Local residents addressed us, the youth of Lugansk People’s Republic, in order to organise the car rally. All those who wanted to participate are here now. Today is the first day of the car rally. We start to drive through the whole city, driving through all the districts, and we will end [the car rally] in the city centre," said the deputy of LPR City Council Denis Kolesnikov.
The local governments of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, as well as those established in Kherson and Zaporozhye after the regions came under Russian control, announced earlier this week that the referendum would take place on September 23-27.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was ready to support the decisions of the areas, with Russia prepared to 'ensure safe conditions' for the votes and let people 'express their will'.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the 'pseudo-referendum', while his press secretary Sergei Nikiforov claimed that the action meant there would be no chance of a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan described them as 'sham referenda', while President Joe Biden said 'Russia has violated the basic principles of the UN Charter' and had also made 'open nuclear threats against Europe'.
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said their countries would not recognise the results, while EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell said those involved in organising them 'will be held accountable'. Moscow launched the military offensive in Ukraine earlier this year, after recognising the independence of the LPR and DPR.
Kiev condemned the action, while Zelensky ordered martial law and full mobilisation in February.
Mandatory credit: TV channel Lugansk 24 / Music at source may be subject to copyright restrictions
A car rally under the slogan 'Way home' in support of referendum in Lugansk People’s Republic to join Russian Federation was held in Lugansk on Friday.
Tens of cars decorated with Russian flags drove through the streets of the city escorted by police vehicles.
"Local residents addressed us, the youth of Lugansk People’s Republic, in order to organise the car rally. All those who wanted to participate are here now. Today is the first day of the car rally. We start to drive through the whole city, driving through all the districts, and we will end [the car rally] in the city centre," said the deputy of LPR City Council Denis Kolesnikov.
The local governments of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, as well as those established in Kherson and Zaporozhye after the regions came under Russian control, announced earlier this week that the referendum would take place on September 23-27.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was ready to support the decisions of the areas, with Russia prepared to 'ensure safe conditions' for the votes and let people 'express their will'.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the 'pseudo-referendum', while his press secretary Sergei Nikiforov claimed that the action meant there would be no chance of a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan described them as 'sham referenda', while President Joe Biden said 'Russia has violated the basic principles of the UN Charter' and had also made 'open nuclear threats against Europe'.
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said their countries would not recognise the results, while EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell said those involved in organising them 'will be held accountable'. Moscow launched the military offensive in Ukraine earlier this year, after recognising the independence of the LPR and DPR.
Kiev condemned the action, while Zelensky ordered martial law and full mobilisation in February.