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Russian annexation of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts

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Annexation of Southern and Eastern Ukraine by the Russian Federation
Part of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and Russo-Ukrainian War
Areas annexed, but not fully controlled by Russia in shades of blue
Date30 September 2022
StandortSouthern and Eastern Ukraine
Organised byRussland Russian Federation
Outcome
  • Annexation of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts by the Russian Federation,[1] illegal under international law[2] and condemned by the United Nations[3]
  • Ukraine formally applies for NATO membership[4]

On 30 September 2022, Russia, amid an ongoing invasion, declared its annexation of four Ukrainian oblasts – Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. The four annexed regions make up about 15% (90,000 sq km) of Ukraine's territory and none were fully under Russian control at the time. The annexation is the largest in Europe since World War II.[5] It created a land connection between the Russian mainland and Crimea, and cuts off Ukraine from the Sea of Azov.[6]

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.[7] 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 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.[8] 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.[9] Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in response that Ukraine would apply to join NATO on an expedited basis.[10]

Background

See also: Territorial evolution of Russia and War in Donbas (2014–2022)

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.[11]

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.

In February and March 2014, Russia occupied and subsequently annexed Crimea from Ukraine by way of holding a referendum in which purportedly 96% of the local population voted in favour of the annexation, with Crimean Tatars boycotting it.[12] The annexation was mostly internationally unrecognized and was condemned by the UN General Assembly.[3] 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.

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.[13]

Referendum and annexation

Main article: 2022 annexation referendums in Russian-occupied Ukraine
Presidential decrees No. 685 (left) and No. 686 (right), recognizing the independence of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts.
Vladimir Putin with pro-Russian leaders of the regions on 30 September 2022 (left).
After annexation, Putin and Denis Pushilin at the "People's choice. Together Forever" concert (right), another state-held rally during the invasion.

On 20 September, the authorities of the Donetsk People's Republic, the Luhansk People's Republic, as well as the occupation administrations of Kherson Oblast and Zaporizhzhia Oblast, announced referendums on joining Russia on 23–27 September.[14]

On 27 September, Russian officials claimed that the accession "referendum" in Zaporizhzhia Oblast passed, with 93.11% of voters in favour of joining the Russian Federation.[15]

On 29 September, Putin signed decrees recognizing the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions as independent countries.[16]

On 30 September, Putin signed accession treaties with pro-Russian leaders of the four regions. 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.[17]

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

On 3 October, Putin's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Donetsk and Luhansk oblast will be annexed in "their 2014 borders", while as for the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblast Russia will "continue consultations with the residents as to their borders".[18] 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.[19]

Russia's State Duma, a rubber stamp for the Kremlin, voted unanimously to formalize the illegal annexations on 3 October.[20] The annexation of each oblast received more "yes" votes than there were lawmakers present.[20] Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin blamed the discrepancies on a "technical failure".[20]

Some estimates[by whom?] suggest that the reconstruction of the annexed territories would cost Russia between $100 and $200 billion.[21] A state budget published on 29 September by the Kremlin revealed that 3.3 billion roubles (about $59 million USD) had been set aside to rebuild the regions.[22]

The new territory that Russia would annex amounts to more than 90,000 km2 (35,000 sq mi), or about 15% of Ukraine's total area – roughly the size of Hungary or Portugal.[23]

Four regions speech of Vladimir Putin

Main article: 2022 Kremlin speech of Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Putin during the speech.

In Putin's speech, he announced an accession of Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblast' on 30 September that Russia had annexed the four republics occupied during the conflict.[24] Most of the speech, timing just under 37 minutes,[25] was anti-Western, referencing history as far back as the Middle Ages to argue that its ambitions of colonialism continue until today, that "In certain countries, the ruling elites voluntarily agree to ['surrender their sovereignty to the United States'], voluntarily agree to become vassals; others are bribed or intimidated". He criticized the defense of "a rules-based order" which "the West is insisting on" in the following quotation, from the Kremlin's official English translation:[26]

Where did that come from anyway? Who has ever seen these rules? Who agreed or approved them? Listen, this is just a lot of nonsense, utter deceit, double standards, or even triple standards! They must think we're stupid.
Russia is a great thousand-year-old power, a whole civilisation, and it is not going to live by such makeshift, false rules.

Ahead of the proclamation, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that an attack on the newly annexed territory would be considered an attack on Russia.[27]

Reactions

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.[28]

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".[29]

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 10 yes votes, one no vote, and four abstentions. The resolution failed because Russia vetoed it. Brazil, China, Gabon, and India abstained from the vote.[a]

Ukrainian response

See also: Ukraine–NATO relations

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."[31] After the ceremony of annexation, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine would not negotiate with Russia "as long as Putin is president", and requested a "fast-track" NATO membership in response.[32]

On September 29, Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to Zelenskyy, said that the Russian plants to annex parts of Ukraine "do not make legal sense" and that the annexation ceremony was a "Kremlin freak show".[33]

See also

Geopolitical aspects

Notes

  1. ^ Yes: France, United Kingdom, United States, Albania, Ghana, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico, Norway, United Arab Emirates.
    Abstention: Brazil, China, Gabon, India.
    No: Russia.[30]

References

  1. ^ Pjotr Sauer; Luke Harding (30 September 2022). "Putin annexes four regions of Ukraine in major escalation of Russia's war". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  2. ^ "United Nations Charter, Chapter I: Purposes and Principles". United Nations. Archived from the original on 2 October 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  3. ^ a b "United Nations A/RES/68/262 General Assembly" (PDF). United Nations. 1 April 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  4. ^ Luke Harding; Isobel Koshiw (30 September 2022). "Ukraine applies for Nato membership after Russia annexes territory". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  5. ^ Dickson, Janice (30 September 2022). "Putin signs documents to illegally annex four Ukrainian regions, in drastic escalation of Russia's war". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  6. ^ Chernova, Ann M. Simmons and Yuliya (30 September 2022). "Russia Announces Annexation of Four Regions of Ukraine". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  7. ^ Walker, Shaun (23 September 2022). "'Referendums' on joining Russia under way in occupied Ukraine". the Guardian. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2022. 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.
  8. ^ "So-called referenda in Russian-controlled Ukraine 'cannot be regarded as legal': UN political affairs chief". UN News. 27 September 2022. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  9. ^ Trevelyan, Mark; Trevelyan, Mark (30 September 2022). "Putin declares annexation of Ukrainian lands in Kremlin ceremony". Reuters. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  10. ^ Balmforth, Tom (30 September 2022). "Ukraine applies for NATO membership, rules out Putin talks". Reuters. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  11. ^ Nataliya Polonska-Vasylenko (1955). The Settlement of the Southern Ukraine (1750–1775). Ukrainian Academy of Arts and Sciences in the U.S. p. 190. Archived from the original on 3 June 2016. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  12. ^ Crimean Tatar Leader Announces Referendum Boycott, archived from the original on 11 March 2021, retrieved 1 October 2022
  13. ^ James, Liam (3 March 2022). "Russia claims it has seized Kherson as mayor agrees to conditions to keep city running". The Independent. Archived from the original on 3 March 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.; "Berdyansk: Life Under Russian Occupation". Institute for War and Peace Reporting. 8 April 2022. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  14. ^ "Russia moves to formally annex swathes of Ukraine". Reuters. 20 September 2022. Archived from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.; "Война в Украине: ЛНР и ДНР объявили о "референдумах" о присоединении к России 23–27 сентября – Новости на русском языке". BBC News Русская служба (in Russian). Archived from the original on 27 September 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2022.; "На оккупированных территориях Украины 23–27 сентября проведут «референдумы о присоединении к России». Главное Тем временем в России вводят понятие «мобилизация» в Уголовный кодекс". Meduza (in Russian). Archived from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  15. ^ "Pro-Moscow officials say 1 occupied area of Ukraine has voted to join Russia". PBS NewsHour. 27 September 2022. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 27 September 2022.; "Жители Запорожской области голосовали за воссоединение с Россией – Администрация Запорожской области" (in Russian). Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  16. ^ Welle (www.dw.com), Deutsche, Russia-Ukraine updates: Kremlin says recognizes Kherson, Zaporizhzhia | DW | 29 September 2022, archived from the original on 1 October 2022, retrieved 30 September 2022; "Putin Signs Independence Decrees In Precursor To Seizing Ukrainian Regions". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  17. ^ "Определены границы новых регионов России". Archived from the original on 2 October 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022. 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.
  18. ^ "Песков: Россия продолжит советоваться с населением Херсонской и Запорожской областей по вопросу границ". Российская газета. 3 October 2022. Archived from the original on 3 October 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  19. ^ "Олег Царёв". Telegram. Archived from the original on 3 October 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  20. ^ a b c Dixon, Robyn (3 October 2022). "In two more staged votes, Russian parliament moves to ratify annexation". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 3 October 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  21. ^ "Putin's Victory in Taking Donbas Will Cost Him Billions". Newsweek. 29 September 2022. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  22. ^ "Putin to sign treaty annexing territories in Ukraine, Kremlin says". The Guardian. 29 September 2022. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  23. ^ Guy Faulconbridge; Felix Light (22 September 2022). "Explainer: Russia unfolds annexation plan for Ukraine". Reuters. Archived from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  24. ^ Reuters Staff (30 September 2022). "Putin says Russia has 'four new regions' as he announces annexation of Ukrainian territory". Reuters. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022. {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  25. ^ "Ukraine war: Russia president Putin says four annexed Ukrainian regions are 'Russian forever'". Euronews. 1 October 2022. Archived from the original on 2 October 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  26. ^ "Signing of treaties on accession of Donetsk and Lugansk people's republics and Zaporozhye and Kherson regions to Russia". Kremlin. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  27. ^ Reuters staff (30 September 2022). "Kremlin says any attack on annexed territory will be an attack on Russia". Reuters. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022. {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  28. ^ Guy Faulconbridge; Felix Light (22 September 2022). "Russia moves to formally annex swathes of Ukraine". Reuters. Archived from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  29. ^ "So-called referenda in Russian-controlled Ukraine 'cannot be regarded as legal': UN political affairs chief". UN News. 27 September 2022. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  30. ^ "Russia vetoes Security Council resolution condemning attempted annexation of Ukraine regions". UN News. United Nations. 30 September 2022. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  31. ^ Reuters (7 August 2022). "Ukraine's Zelenskiy rules out talks if Russia holds referendums". Reuters. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  32. ^ "Kyiv requests fast-track NATO membership: Zelenskyy". Al Arabiya. 30 September 2022. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  33. ^ Reuters (29 September 2022). "Ukrainian presidential adviser denounces 'Kremlin freak show'". Reuters. Retrieved 5 October 2022. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
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