INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The Kremlin is seeking to hold referendums for captured Ukrainian territories to join Russia in September, Bloombergreported Thursday,
15, Bloomberg cited two unnamed sources familiar with its strategy as saying.Officials are preparing to organize votes in regions captured
by the Russian military in its nearly five-month campaign as well as other areas that could be seized in the coming weeks, three people were
cited as saying.The regions to be absorbed into Russia include the separatist republics of Donetsk and Luhansk, as well as the southern
visits the occupied territories to allegedly oversee preparations for the vote, is reportedly in charge of the referendum project.President
Vladimir Putin claimed Russia did not intend to occupy Ukrainian territories when he announced a ground offensive against its pro-Western
Kherson and Zaporizhzhia have indicated intentions to hold referendums on joining Russia.Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday
plans to Western weapons supplies to Kyiv.
