This Friday, the electoral day of the referendums began in the Republics of Zaporizhia and Lugansk, to decide the accession of these two communities to Russia.
This election day will take place until September 27.
In this regard, the president of the Central Electoral Commission, Elena Krávchenko; reported that, on this first day, a participation of 21,97% of those summoned was registered.
This is equivalent to 298.900 people, reports the Sputnik news agency.
For its part, in the province of Zaporizhia, a participation of 20,52% was registered.
Katyushenko stressed that 8.370 people voted abroad in the referendum.
In addition to Lugansk and Zaporizhia, electoral processes are being held in Donetsk and in the province of Kherson, who hope to join Russia, after this day.
Last Wednesday, the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin. declared that he will support the decisions of the referendums to be held in the Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics and in the Zaporizhia and Kherson provinces on his reincorporation into the nation.
The US analyzes sanctions for the referendum
In rejection of the democratic process, the president of the United States (USA), Joe Biden, reported that economic sanctions against Russia are being evaluated, after its support for the referendums.
"The United States will never recognize Ukrainian territory as anything other than part of Ukraine," Biden said in a statement.
"We will work with our allies and partners to impose swift and severe additional economic costs on Russia. The United States stands with our partners around the world, and with all nations that respect the basic principles of the UN Charter, in rejecting any manufactured outcome," Biden said, as quoted by Sputnik.
The areas have been largely secured by Russian forces during Moscow's special military operation in response to requests for help from the regions due to mistreatment by the kyiv regime.
