• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Putin annexes four parts of Ukraine into Russia, defying international law

Home> News

Published 14:17 30 Sep 2022 GMT+1

Putin annexes four parts of Ukraine into Russia, defying international law

Vladimir Putin declared that Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia are now part of Russia, following widely criticised referendum votes

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced the annex of four Ukrainian regions, despite international criticism over the 'illegal' move.

During an event at the Kremlin today (Friday 30 September), Putin declared that Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia are now part of Russia, following widely criticised referendum votes. 

Putin said he planned to sign laws to annex the areas, which he said he would protect using ‘all available means’. 

According to the Associated Press, today’s annexation ceremony began with Putin urging Ukraine to sit down for talks, but warned that Moscow would not give up the newly incorporated regions. 

Advert

People voting on the entry of the Donetsk People's Republic, Luhansk People's Republic, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions into Russia.
Sipa US/Alamy Stock Photo

The event had been organised so that Putin and the heads of the four Ukrainian regions could sign treaties for the areas to join Russia – something the AP’s Bill McLoughlin described as a ‘sharp’ escalation of the seven-month conflict. 

As Amnesty International explains, annexation is unlawful under international law and is therefore 'null and void and without international legal effect'.

Earlier today, UK Prime Minister Liz Truss also condemned Putin’s actions as ‘illegal’. 

Advert

She said in a statement: “Vladimir Putin has, once again, acted in violation of international law with clear disregard for the lives of the Ukrainian people he claims to represent. 

“The UK will never ignore the sovereign will of those people and we will never accept the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia as anything other than Ukrainian territory. 

“Putin cannot be allowed to alter international borders using brute force. We will ensure he loses this illegal war.” 

The ceremony came three days after the Kremlin completed its ‘referendums’ on the regions joining Russia. 

Advert

The move has been criticised across the globe, and has also been rejected by Ukrainian President Voldymyr Zelenskyy. 

Zelenskyy addressed the annexation in yesterday's nightly address. Credit YouTube/Office of the President of Ukraine
Zelenskyy addressed the annexation in yesterday's nightly address. Credit YouTube/Office of the President of Ukraine

In yesterday’s daily address, he told his nation: “Everyone in the world understands well what such an attempted annexation would actually mean. It will not mean what the Kremlin hopes for.” 

Zelenskyy said he had spoken with leaders in Italy, Poland and France earlier in the day, building on efforts by the US and other allies to create an international stance rejecting the annexation attempt. 

Advert

He added: “Now I repeat for everyone in this country: Russia will not get a new territory of Ukraine. Russia will annex itself to the catastrophe that it has brought to the occupied territory of our country.” 

If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information 

Featured Image Credit: Asar Studios/Uwe Michael Neumann/Alamy Stock Photo

Topics: Ukraine, Russia, Vladimir Putin

Jess Hardiman
Jess Hardiman

Jess is Entertainment Desk Lead at LADbible Group. She graduated from Manchester University with a degree in Film Studies, English Language and Linguistics. You can contact Jess at [email protected].

X

@Jess_Hardiman

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Russia savagely responds after Trump brands Putin ‘crazy’ over recent Ukraine attacks
  • Putin launches drone strikes on Ukraine amid challenge by Trump to 'agree' to his demands
  • Donald Trump issues severe warning to Russia after hearing Putin's recent comments on Ukraine
  • Putin reveals what he really thinks about using nuclear weapons in Ukraine

Choose your content:

8 hours ago
  • 8 hours ago

    Chipotle customer finds receipt from 10 years ago and the comparison is making people want to cry

    Chipotle customers are understandably upset

    News
  • 8 hours ago

    100-year-old identical twins reveal secret to long life after celebrating milestone

    Bernice Frank and Gloria Lipman shared their wisdom for reaching 100-years-old

    News
  • 8 hours ago

    Forensic psychiatrist gives chilling theory behind Bryan Kohberger’s motive after he confessed to Idaho murders

    Bryan Kohberger pleaded guilty to murder earlier this week

    News
  • 8 hours ago

    Body found in search for man who vanished on vacation as police release chilling details

    Brian Tarrence was with his wife in Turks and Caicos before being reported missing days later

    News