News > Russia prepares to annex occupied Ukraine despite outcry

Russia prepares to annex occupied Ukraine despite outcry

Russia is poised to formally annexe areas of Ukraine where it has military control after referendums there reportedly endorsed Moscow's rule. But the ballots were widely discredited and earned the Kremlin no relief from international pressure over its assault on its neighbour.

Pro-Moscow administrations said Tuesday night that their residents voted to join Russia in five days of Kremlin-orchestrated balloting.