Russian-backed bodies in Donetsk and Luhansk set annexation referendum dates
A look back at the announcements of 20 September 2022 that scheduled votes in two self-proclaimed republics for 23–27 September.
What did the Russian-backed authorities in eastern Ukraine announce on 20 September 2022? The "People's Council" of the self-proclaimed "Luhansk People's Republic" scheduled a referendum on the republic joining Russia as a federal subject, to be held from 23 to 27 September.
Shortly afterwards, the "People's Council" of the self-proclaimed "Donetsk People's Republic" declared that its own referendum on joining the Russian Federation would take place on the same dates.
The announcements followed a call made a day earlier, on 19 September 2022. The "public chambers" of both self-proclaimed entities appealed to their leaders to hold a referendum on joining Russia "immediately".
Within 24 hours, that appeal had been followed by formal decisions from the two bodies, setting an identical five-day window for the votes in both entities.
