Putin claims 2 massive parts of Ukraine are independent after sham referendum & on verge of being swallowed by Russia

VLADIMIR Putin has officially claimed two massive parts of Ukraine as independent following sham referendum and is on the verge of being swallowed by Russia. Mad Vlad signed executive orders recognising Kherson and Zaporizhzhia as independent states, paving the way to annex them on Friday. ReutersVladimir Putin has signed a decree recognising Kherson and Zaporizhzhia as independent states[/caption] A huge rally will take place in Moscow’s Red Square on FridayReuters APThe referendums have been slammed as illegal by the international community[/caption] “In accordance with the universally recognized principles and norms of international law… and taking into account the will of the people of the Zaporizhzhian region at the referendum held on September 27, 2022… I am becoming to recognise the state sovereignty and independence of Zaporizhzhia region,” the document read. The decree – which was issued in the dead of night – comes into immediate effect “from the date of its signing”. It comes as the mad Russian leader claimed victory in the Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia following sham referendums over recent days. READ MORE ON RUSSIA GAS CHAOS Fourth Nord Stream gas leak discovered off Sweden after ‘premeditated bomb blast’ VLAD'S ARMY Humiliating pics show Putin's ageing 'Dad's Army’ lining up for Ukraine war A huge rally is being prepared in Moscow’s Red Square as Putin prepares to declare the annexation. Billboards have appeared in Moscow declaring: “Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson – Russia!” On Wednesday, pro-Kremlin officials said that all four regions – which represent around 15 percent of Ukraine’s overall territory – had voted to join Russia. The referendums have been declared illegal by most of the international community. Most read in News 'BABY ATTACKED' Seven-month-old girl left fighting for life after 'assault' at nursery REST IN PEACE Queen cause of death revealed as old age after officials release certificate STORM TRAGEDY Hundreds feared dead after Hurricane Ian hits Florida, sheriff says IN THE CLEAR 'Much bigger' woman CLEARED of forcing man to have sex with her after date 'HIGH ALERT' 'Gangster' Putin could knock out West's INTERNET after attack on gas pipeline ACTOR IN COURT Hollyoaks actor charged with rape and child cruelty offences Footage emerged of voters being led to the ballot boxes at gunpoint by pro-Russian paramilitary groups, while election officials were seen appearing to count stacks of unmarked ballot papers as ‘Yes’ votes. Other video shows Russian-installed thugs taking ballot boxes door-to-door surrounded by armed men. Putin’s cronies claimed 99 percent of ballots cast in Donetsk were in favour of joining Russia, 98 percent in Luhansk, 93 percent in Zaporizhzhia and 87 percent in Kherson. The head of the upper house of the Russian parliament, the Duma, said the four occupied territories could become part of Russia as soon as October 4, three days before President Putin’s 70th birthday. “This should happen within a week,” Kremlin puppet Rodion Miroshnik from the so-called Luhansk People’s Republic told Russian state media. “The main thing has already happened – the referendum has taken place. Therefore, let’s say, the locomotive has already started and it’s unlikely to be stopped.” “They can announce anything they want,” Lyubomir Boyko, a villager in Russian-occupied Kherson said. “They went from house to house but nobody came out.” If Russia considers the territory as its own, it could justify having its nuclear arsenal moved there. Putin has already warned he would use nuclear weapons to protect Russian territory. Help those fleeing conflict with The Sun’s Ukraine Fund PICTURES of women and children fleeing the horror of Ukraine’s devastated towns and cities have moved Sun readers to tears. Many of you want to help the five million caught in the chaos — and now you can, by donating to The Sun’s Ukraine Fund. Give as little as £3 or as much as you can afford and every penny will be donated to the Red Cross on the ground helping women, children, the old, the infirm and the wounded. Donate here to help The Sun’s fund Or text to 70141 from UK mobiles £3 — text SUN£3£5 — text SUN£5£10 — text SUN£10 Texts cost your chosen donation amount (e.g. £5) +1 standard message (we receive 100%). For full T&Cs visit redcross.org.uk/mobile The Ukraine Crisis Appeal will support people in areas currently affected and those potentially affected in the future by the crisis. In the unlikely event that the British Red Cross raise more money than can be reasonably and efficiently spent, any surplus funds will be used to help them prepare for and respond to other humanitarian disasters anywhere in the world. For more information visit https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/disaster-fund