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Kremlin stages votes in Ukraine; sees protests in Russia

61 Comments
By KARL RITTER and HANNA ARHIROVA

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Seems war for freedom and fee elections that are not liked by the western powers are the norm

What does any of this have to do with the sham elections carried out by Russia in Ukraine, which are anything but "free" or "fair."

5 ( +6 / -1 )

@Bronco

It took less than a single generation for Putin to turn the Chechens from bitter enemies to willing to die for Russia loyalists.

It looks like it took him a much shorter time to turn a lot of the Russian population against him though!

Russian police moved quickly to break up demonstrations against the mobilization that were held in several cities across Russia on Saturday…

Many Russian men bought up scarce and exorbitantly priced airline tickets out of the country as as rumors swirled about a pending border closure…

8 ( +9 / -1 )

The people of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and Donbass are being given a democratic choice. 

Ummm no. The 4th Geneva Convention requires the occupying power to retain to the greatest degree possible the existing pre-war public services, courts police, municipal and regional governance, and other pre-war public institutions until there is an end to the fighting.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Referendums held in Ukraine territory must be held by the Ukraine government in order to be valid. An enemy holding such votes in captured territory has no validity at all. Such staged referendums are completely fraudulent and void. In no legal sense can they be considered acceptable. This sham will never be recognized or accepted by the world.

Growing unrest and protests in Russia to being called up to fight what was considered to be a close neighbor with many relatives or friends, in Putin's war of conquest against Ukraine.

Streams of men leaving the nation to avoid the call up show exactly how unpopular this conflict is to ordinary Russians. It also shows they are well aware of the poor conditions of service that must be endured on top of the deadly Ukraine military fighting for their very survival. The smart Russians want no part in such a situation.

Conscripting criminals to fight simply means there will be even more crimes committed in Ukraine by Russian criminals let out of prison and set loose inside Ukraine. Rapes, murders, torture and executions will become even more common (if that is possible) with a criminal army.

Russia continues to hit new lows for a supposedly civilized nation. If there is anything worse or lower than being a pariah state then Russia qualifies for such a label.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

The US and its minions have decades of experience at, and therefore are very good at coming up with reasons to, ignore expressions of popular opinion. Their problem is that, like the USSR and its minions shortly before the end, they've lost the ability to force the populations in question to accept the dismissal, not just occasionally, but as a matter of course.

The demonstrations against the Axis of Antidemocracies in the ME continue despite the harshest of oppression (see Yemen), the designation of Guaido as the legitimate representative of the population of Venezuela may have allowed them to rob Venezuelans of millions of dollars, but even President Biden meets with the actual representative of the population of Venezuela.

Will America's refusal to acknowledge these votes be able to crush the popular uprisings against Zelensky? Only if its willing to bankrupt itself past the point where it can sustain the illusion of solvency.

Of course, one thing that the collapse of the USSR showed was that even giving up short of that can collapse the illusion.

-10 ( +3 / -13 )

Nothing says “Free and Fair” like the occupying army showing up to your house to record your non-secret ballot.

”Would you like holes in head and no Russia, or no holes in head and Russia?”

7 ( +9 / -2 )

The people of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and Donbass are being given a democratic choice. 

No they aren’t.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_War_of_Independence

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalan_independence_movement

The referendum was nonetheless held in 2017 amidst great political and social controversy, including police actions aimed at stopping it both before and during the voting. Amidst large protests from both the pro and anti-independence camps, the Catalan parliament approved a motion with the aim to proclaim an independent republic, at the same time that the Spanish senate voted to take control of the Catalan institutions until new regional elections. The regional government leaders were arrested in the subsequent weeks, with some fleeing abroad, including then president Carles Puigdemont.

Seems war for freedom and fee elections that are not liked by the western powers are the norm

-16 ( +2 / -18 )

Rumor is …

exactly that, a rumour.

come back when you have some facts

11 ( +12 / -1 )

I wonder if you still think the Ukrainians should just give up and hand their country over to Russia, Antiquesavings.

12 ( +15 / -3 )

Rumor is young Slavic guys of Eastern Europe are also flocking to Serbia and Armenia from where they can get direct flights to various Russian regions.

Rumor is they'll need to bring their own rifles, ammo & coffins. Rumor is you're making up your own cute little fantasies.

9 ( +14 / -5 )

The US at the start also called Vietnam a special military operation. And then they had the draft

A war starts to hit home when it's your friends, family, or you have a possibility to be sent there

Russia is in such a hurry to do these sham voting that they didn't even have time to do proper voting stations. They're going door-to-door passing voting papers or setting up impromptu outdoor tents without prior notice - ya can see how that doesn't protect the integrity of votes and why that's not done in democracies including Japan. (Not to mention, in the first place, that many locals are not residing in their towns at the moment because they've been forced to flee by the war.)

4 ( +6 / -2 )

@tooheysnew, @Haaa Nemui, @Nemo. Where is "@rainman"? Too much nihon shu last night? Celebrating like the people in Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and Donbass?

Anyway, I just wanted to tell you people not to be so pessimistic. The people of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and Donbass are being given a democratic choice. As the Russian foreign minister said, the President of Ukraine said that anyone in Ukraine who feels Russian should go to Russia. So they are going and taking their land, the land of their ancestors going back at least 1000 years, with them. The excellent President of Ukraine is getting his wish.

Not only that but still more videos are coming in of enlistment centers in Russia. Chechnya is getting all the attention but they are still coming in from all corners of Yakutsk, another region where Slavs are a minority of the population. I haven 't seen the video but I read multiple people talking about Military Soviets being formed in various locations and countries of Central Asia.

Lenin wouldn't like the current regime in Russia but he'd be proud of all the races and ethnic groups standing together against imperialism.

Rumor is young Slavic guys of Eastern Europe are also flocking to Serbia and Armenia from where they can get direct flights to various Russian regions.

The Czech regime has already come out and said any Czechs joining the Russians would be prosecuted. They don't care. Like WW2 they'll only return as part of a liberating army.

-12 ( +3 / -15 )

Eastern Ukrainians want to become part of Russia.

Let them join them.

let them move there - problem solved

10 ( +11 / -1 )

This is pure anti-Russia propaganda! Eastern Ukrainians want to become part of Russia. What's the problem with that? Let them join them.

-13 ( +3 / -16 )

@tooheysnew, @Haaa Nemui, @Nemo. Where is "@rainman"? Too much nihon shu last night? Celebrating like the people in Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and Donbass?

Anyway, I just wanted to tell you people not to be so pessimistic. The people of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and Donbass are being given a democratic choice. As the Russian foreign minister said, the President of Ukraine said that anyone in Ukraine who feels Russian should go to Russia. So they are going and taking their land, the land of their ancestors going back at least 1000 years, with them. The excellent President of Ukraine is getting his wish.

Not only that but still more videos are coming in of enlistment centers in Russia. Chechnya is getting all the attention but they are still coming in from all corners of Yakutsk, another region where Slavs are a minority of the population. I haven 't seen the video but I read multiple people talking about Military Soviets being formed in various locations and countries of Central Asia.

Lenin wouldn't like the current regime in Russia but he'd be proud of all the races and ethnic groups standing together against imperialism

-13 ( +3 / -16 )

That pic of Alexei Nogin. “Hero of Russia” recipient. Gonna be a lot more recipients of that award in the coming weeks and months.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Russia is slowly imploding while Putin hides in one of his many mansions .

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Touche!

Well played, sir/madam!

I can’t take all the credit. It’s a team effort.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Disgraceful, yes.

Surprising, no.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

The thing is, Mini-me is treating the Russian population like Stalin did at Stalingrad, except this is not Stalingrad.

The Russians are the invaders so these poor devils are not being sacrificed for the nation agains a foreign invader, THEY ARE the foreign invader.

They know this.

Unlike Stalin's Soviet Union, these "reservists" (quite a few of whom have never served. One wonders what they are in reserve for.) these poor devils have options and are voting with their feet to leave in numbers that could outfit (with people, not equipment since it has all been blown up) several Batallion Tactical Units.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Mr Kipling

Anti war protests in Russia? 700 arrested.... ? Does anyone remember the anti war protests in the UK against UK involvement in the Gulf war? Over a million people in London. Did it stop the war?

Thing about the UK protests is that if you got arrested you'ld stay overnight in a cell max.

In Russia, if you get arrested and you are a male, they will personally transport you to the Ukraine front. And if you are not male, they can throw you in jail for up to 15 years.

15 years! In the West, you will have had to have killed someone to get that kind of sentence!

7 ( +10 / -3 )

he picture accompanying the headline could just as easily be a picture of Russian men lined up to leave the country.

Except there’re only about 20 cars.

Touche!

Well played, sir/madam!

5 ( +7 / -2 )

"Ever notice that most of the news always comes from Ukraine or the west" 

Um, no. I've got Al-jazeera, news service based in Doha, included in my Prime TV subscription, so I watch that quite often, especially its extensive coverage of the war in Ukraine. What's your point, anyway?

7 ( +10 / -3 )

The picture accompanying the headline could just as easily be a picture of Russian men lined up to leave the country.

Except there’re only about 20 cars.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

The picture accompanying the headline could just as easily be a picture of Russian men lined up to leave the country.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Anti war protests in Russia? 700 arrested.... ? Does anyone remember the anti war protests in the UK against UK involvement in the Gulf war? Over a million people in London. Did it stop the war?

What would you recommend these anti-war/anti-mobilization protestors do instead? I would imagine that the vast majority of protests worldwide don't achieve immediate results, but some movements can be effective over time.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

The referendum will make things worse for Putin. Ukraine is most likely to retake those "new Russian territories" in the foreseeable future, which signifies a clear defeat and incompetence for Russia.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

For a country that said it had no plans to invade just 7 months ago, the Russians sure do need a lot more troops.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

so did UA crushed Russia already? 

according to pro UA propaganda this should happened at least 2 months ago?

just wanted to know...

So you are bragging that the Ukrainians haven’t captured Moscow yet?

Watching the scenes of drunken 50 year olds with their pants around their ankles being rounded up to create a new Russian army, because the regular one has been destroyed, I can see how that would be all you have left.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

No one said this... They are doing much better than pretty much anyone expected. Most believed Russia would have "won" long ago. Hope this clears things up.

so did UA crushed Russia already?

according to pro UA propaganda this should happened at least 2 months ago?

just wanted to know...

1 ( +5 / -4 )

RT chief Margarita Simonyan lashed out at military conscription offices for “driving people mad” by rounding up those who weren't supposed to be drafted. “It's as if they were tasked by Kyiv to do that,” she said.

More mind swaying propaganda from the Russians.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

@desert

your fear is justified.

Behind the scenes, The Biden Administration has allegedly been sending private messages to Moscow about the 'grave consequences' of using nuclear weapons.

Putin has repeatedly threatened using nuclear weapons & he has blinked every time. We have to hope he keeps on blinking

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Anti war protests in Russia? 700 arrested.... ? Does anyone remember the anti war protests in the UK against UK involvement in the Gulf war? Over a million people in London. Did it stop the war?

How many of those in the UK were imprisoned or arrested then immediately drafted? The real comparison to be made is that they were both based on lies.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Pretty much what I said above, from Arab media.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/9/20/russia-unfolds-annexation-plan-for-ukraine

8 ( +12 / -4 )

Ever notice that most of the news always comes from Ukraine or the west ? Of course everything they state is true, isn't it ?

No it does not. Expand your reading list and you will see. Here are just a few examples.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/9/24/russian-men-flee-country-after-moscow-announces-mobilisation

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/9/24/putin-toughens-penalty-for-surrender-refusal-to-fight-in-ukraine

https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/china-fm-wang-yi-calls-on-russia-ukraine-not-to-let-war-spill-over-in-unga-address

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/ukraine-crisis-raises-prospect-of-more-states-going-nuclear-veteran-singapore-diplomat

9 ( +12 / -3 )

The whataboutery of the usual suspects is nothing more than an echo of the tired default argument of apologists for Putin who promote his transparently fascist MRGA agenda. And the sham votes of Russian-speaking Ukrainians who opted to remain, under age child voters and Russians bussed in from the RF to vote "DA" will never exceed the number of Ukrainians who chose to vote with their feet instead of with ballots at the end of Russian bayonets. It's all meaningless anyway since the Ukrainian army will decide the question of sovereignty with bullets not ballots.

8 ( +12 / -4 )

In a month or so, no one but loyal trolls & a few here will remember These ‘referendums’.

They will be forgotten, & the areas will be reclaimed by Ukraine.

The Russian leadership and the nationalists there won't forget. My fear is that the Russians use these referendums to claim ownership of the regions in question, annexing them to Russia. When Ukraine forces come to take their legitimate territory back the Russians will claim Mother Russia itself is under attack and use that to justify use of nuclear weapons.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

It took less than a single generation for Putin to turn the Chechens from bitter enemies to willing to die for Russia loyalists

Are you sure about that? Chechen rebels are threatening to resume their bitter war for independence from Russia.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/chechen-isis-fighters-under-omar-alshishani-threaten-to-take-fight-to-putin-9787809.html

https://www.ibtimes.com/putin-may-face-war-russia-volunteer-chechen-battalion-plans-attack-3581075

I think they are biding their time, perhaps until this coming spring, after the Russian Army is ground down by the Ukrainians. Btw, there have been Chechens fighting on the Ukrainian side as well.

https://www.npr.org/2022/09/05/1119703328/chechens-ukraine-russia

9 ( +13 / -4 )

In a month or so, no one but loyal trolls & a few here will remember These ‘referendums’.

They will be forgotten, & the areas will be reclaimed by Ukraine.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

Since when did it become legal for any country to hold a referendum in another country? A farse.

Most people in separatist-held areas of Donbas prefer reintegration with Ukraine – new survey

Published: October 14, 2019

https://theconversation.com/most-people-in-separatist-held-areas-of-donbas-prefer-reintegration-with-ukraine-new-survey-124849

11 ( +15 / -4 )

Does anyone remember the anti war protests in the UK against UK involvement in the Gulf war? Over a million people in London. Did it stop the war?

How many of those protesting in London were arrested simply for being there? How many threatened with 15 years in jail? How many handed conscription papers?

10 ( +14 / -4 )

Russophobe propaganda.

I recall that same lame protestations about western reporting when the US shared intelligence of Putin intention to invade Ukraine... Anytime Russian outrages and crimes are reported it’s just gaslighting and whiny protestations of “Russophobia”.

13 ( +16 / -3 )

Ever notice that most of the news always comes from Ukraine or the west ? Of course everything they state is true, isn't it ?

Any reason to believe they're lying about Russia holding sham elections in Ukraine?

7 ( +11 / -4 )

What a big joke!

Soldiers with weapons are going from door to door and force the people to vote.

Russia is getting more and more the laughing stock of the world.

Russia will be at its end soon and they know it.

Therefore they are doing this forced referendums and threatens the world with nuclear weapons.

These are the last straws they have.

But the more the Russians are doing things like that, the more the hate towards them are growing in the world.

More and more people all over the world don't want to see any Russians coming close to them, because of all the horrible things the Russians are doing in the Ukraine.

Countless young guys are fleeing from Russia now, more and more protests against Putin and his mass murdering Mob are raising.

It seems that slowly but steady the Russian population are waking up and see what an insane, full of madness Regime they have.

It's time for the Russian population to stand against their insane mass murdering regime before it is too late.

This full of madness Russian government is destroying your lives, future, dreams AND your familes.

8 ( +12 / -4 )

Ever notice that most of the news always comes from Ukraine or the west ? Of course everything they state is true, isn't it ?

-18 ( +3 / -21 )

Anti war protests in Russia? 700 arrested.... ? Does anyone remember the anti war protests in the UK against UK involvement in the Gulf war? Over a million people in London. Did it stop the war?

-17 ( +5 / -22 )

Russophobe propaganda.

Right?! It's not like Russia invaded it's smaller, weaker neighbor, and is now forcing it's citizens to vote on joining Russia at gunpoint, is it?

Bad take.

12 ( +16 / -4 )

Fraud. Reports of people being forced to vote. Soldiers going door-to-door.

13 ( +17 / -4 )

Chechens are volunteering in droves for the Russian military.

Chechens are being forced to volunteer

they make excellent fighters 

no, they make excellent TikTokers

It took less than a single generation for Putin to turn the Chechens from bitter enemies to willing to die for Russia loyalists.

it took a lot of money from Putin

10 ( +16 / -6 )

Ethnic minorities of the conquered peoples are being disproportionately conscripted causing discontent which may yet lead to demands for independence from the empire that subjugated them. In the Crimea, Tarters make up about 13% of the population yet 90% of those conscripted!

6 ( +10 / -4 )

Russophobe propaganda.

-18 ( +6 / -24 )

the head of a top state-controlled TV station harshly criticized military authorities for hastily sweeping up random people to meet mobilization targets instead of calling up people with specific skills and recent military service, as Putin promised.

Ouch .. but but but that’s not the narrative pro-Putinist posters have been peddling here. Heh heh

Anyway, looks like they getting ready to saddle all the blame for the fiasco (still all going to plan?) on the Russian military

9 ( +11 / -2 )

Meaningless, the result and numbers have already been decided.

Knock on the door, if you don’t open up they break it down. If you do you have the privilege of voting under their guns and if you vote no you will suffer, if you vote yes and you are a man it’s”well done comrade, here are your conscription papers”.

The whole exercise is a ploy to forcibly conscript canon fodder.

2 ( +10 / -8 )

so did UA crushed Russia already?

according to pro UA propaganda this should happened at least 2 months ago?

just wanted to know...

-14 ( +7 / -21 )

A referendum which will show no results.

The international community (with very few exceptions) will not accept or respect any outcome.

It's a fake - enforced by the use of weapons, threats, and so on.

Those areas are Ukraine, Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk, and, YES, also Crimea!

It's about time Russia / Putin finally understand this and get out of there.

7 ( +15 / -8 )

Putin now has his "Big Lie", just like his BFF Trump...

Next, he'll tell us he changed the minds of the Ukrainians just by "thinking"...

Great minds think alike....LOL...

7 ( +15 / -8 )

Ukraine has turned into Putin's Waterloo.

The king is naked, Russian army is in disarray, post Soviet countries are settling their own scores, openly showing disrespect to Putin, he is more and more isolated. Mighty Russia is buying drones from Iran? What an embarrassment! The was is already lost, nukes are the only things he has left to blackmail the West, but it's a matter of time before Putin finds himself close to a window...

8 ( +18 / -10 )

I think Russia will very soon increase its territory..

-14 ( +8 / -22 )

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