Putin expected to annex parts of Ukraine after 'referendums' end

Moscow Proxies In Occupied Areas Report 'Big Votes' To Join Russia 

Kyiv: The four days of stage-managed referendums on joining Russia in occupied parts of Ukraine, which wrap up on Tuesday, blended raw intimidation tactics, including armed men in ski masks at polling stations, Orwellian messaging and efforts at festivities, such as thinly attended concerts on central squares. The referendums were a show of supposed democracy by Russia, but one that is likely to have chilling real-world consequences. The purported results, which could be announced as soon as Tuesday, are expected to claim that most residents voted to join Russia, with the Kremlin then formally announcing annexation as soon as this week.