Russian media: First results in 4 regions show accession to Russia supported

Voting in the referendum held in the Russian-controlled cities of Ukraine Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia and Kherson continued on the last day, while the Russian press announced that according to the preliminary results, all 4 regions largely support joining Russia.

Voting is still continuing in the Russian-controlled Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia and Kherson regions of the Krai on the last day of the referendum launched on September 23, to join Russia.

While Western countries and Ukraine have announced that they will not recognize the results of the referendum on the grounds that it is completely illegal, the regional election boards claim that the public has shown intense interest in the referendum.

RUSSIAN MEDIA: ACCORDING TO PRELIMINARY RESULTS, ALL FOUR REGIONS SUPPORT PARTICIPATION

The election results are expected to be announced this evening. Hours before the election was due to conclude, the Russian press announced that, according to the preliminary results of the referendum, all four regions largely supported accession to Russia.

PARTICIPATION RATES ANNOUNCED

It was stated that the participation rate in the elections had reached 86.89 percent in Donetsk, 83.61 percent in Luhansk, 66.43 percent in Zaporizhia and 63.43 percent in Kherson. Polling stations are expected to close at 20.00 in the Donetsk region, while in other regions polling stations will close at 16.00.

Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia and Kherson make up about 15 percent of the territory of Ukraine.