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Kremlin may be preparing to stage sham referenda in Ukraine’s south and east, US Permanent Representative says

mbassador Michael Carpenter, US Permanent Representative to OSCE

29 April 2022 09:36 (UTC +04:00)

"We have information that Russia’s planning for its further invasion of Ukraine includes a forced capitulation of Ukraine’s democratically elected government, including dissolving local municipal governments across Ukraine, said Ambassador Michael Carpenter, US Permanent Representative to OSCE at an online press briefing, APA reports.

The US diplomat said that Russian officials and so-called separatists developed plans for a new government and a new constitution. "This planning includes a moratorium disallowing legitimate Ukrainian leaders and those supporting Ukraine’s legitimate government from any leadership positions".

Ambassador Carpenter said that there is evidence that the "Kremlin may be preparing to stage sham referenda in Ukraine’s south and east – in the areas that it illegally seized since February 24th".

"So, we under the international community must make clear that any such referendum will never be recognized as legitimate, just as the Ukrainian people have already made clear that they will never support this Russian invasion. So, no one should be fooled by these theatrics".

The US diplomat also talked about forced transfers of local populations in the areas it controls in Ukraine’s south and east to Russia or to Russia-controlled parts of the Donbas.

"I wanted to underscore here at the top is that, unfortunately, and tragically, we should be prepared that Russia is going to intensify its ongoing forced transfers of local populations in the areas it controls in Ukraine’s south and east to Russia or to Russia-controlled parts of the Donbas via so-called “filtration camps.” We’re seeing credible reporting that Russia’s forces are rounding up the local civilian populations in these areas, detaining them in these camps, and then brutally interrogating them for any supposed links to the Ukrainian Government or to independent media. There are reports that those suspected of having any connections of this sort are being beaten or tortured before they’re transferred to the so-called “Donetsk People’s Republic,” where many are reportedly disappeared or murdered".

"Our information indicates that Russia is abducting, torturing, and/or murdering locally elected leaders, journalists, and civil society activists, as well as religious leaders."