09/24/2022

Vladimir Putin warned Wednesday that the Kremlin would “certainly use all the means at our disposal to protect Russia and our people," should the territorial integrity of Russia be threatened.

"The citizens of Russia can be sure that the territorial integrity of our Motherland, our independence and freedom will be ensured — I emphasize this again — with all the means at our disposal,” Putin said. "It is not a bluff," he added.

This warning comes after the announcement of the upcoming referendum to formally join Russia, expected to take place in Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia. These Russian-controlled regions amount to roughly 15% of Ukrainian territory.

The U.S. and its allies have denounced the referendum calling it a “sham," stating the votes are illegal under Ukrainian and international law.

Deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, wrote in a Telegram post Thursday that territory in eastern Ukraine would be “accepted into Russia” after the “referendums” and vowed to strengthen the security of those areas. He added, “Russia has chosen its path...There is no way back.”