KYIV, September 20 (Reuters) – Russian-installed leaders in occupied areas of four Ukrainian regions have drawn up plans for referendums on joining Russia, a move Ukraine dismissed as a set-up on Monday by Moscow in an attempt to regain the initiative after crushing losses on the battlefield.

“The Russians can do whatever they want. It won’t change anything,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in response to reporters’ questions at the start of a meeting with the US ambassador to the United Nations. Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

In a tweet, he added: “Russia has been and remains an aggressor illegally occupying parts of Ukrainian land. Ukraine has every right to liberate its territories and will continue to liberate them whatever Russia has to say.” .

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Washington and its allies would reject such referendums, which he said would bring no advantage to Russia on the battlefield.

In a seemingly coordinated move, Russian-backed officials announced referendums scheduled for September 23-27 in the provinces of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, representing around 15% of Ukraine’s territory or an area the size of Hungary. .

Russia already considers Luhansk and Donetsk, which together form the Donbass region partially occupied by Moscow in 2014, as independent states. Ukraine and the West consider all parts of Ukraine held by Russian forces to be illegally occupied.

In a social media post to Putin, the leader of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), Denis Pushilin, wrote: “I ask you, as soon as possible, in case of a positive decision in the referendum – which we have no doubt – to consider the DPR becoming part of Russia.”

Some pro-Kremlin figures have presented the referendums as an ultimatum for the West to accept Russian territorial gains or face all-out war with a nuclear-armed enemy.

“Encroachment on Russian territory is a crime that allows you to use all forces in self-defense,” Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian president and now hawkish deputy chairman of Putin’s Security Council, said on social media.

Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of the pro-Kremlin TV channel RT, wrote: “Today a referendum, tomorrow recognition as a member of the Russian Federation, the day after tomorrow strikes on Russian territory become a full-fledged war between Ukraine and NATO and Russia, untying Russia’s hands in every way.”

Reframing the fighting in occupied territory as an attack on Russia could also give Moscow justification for mobilizing its 2 million military reserves. Moscow has so far resisted such a move despite mounting losses in what it calls a limited “special military operation” rather than a war.

Sullivan said Washington was aware of reports that Putin might be considering ordering a mobilization, which Sullivan said would do nothing to undermine Ukraine’s ability to repel Russian aggression.

Kuleba, Ukraine’s foreign minister, also touched on possible Russian mobilization plans, tweeting: “Dummy ‘referendums’ won’t change anything. No hybrid ‘mobilization’ either.”

‘LOUD AND CLEAR’

“As Russia forges ahead with fake referendums in the occupied territories of Ukraine, let me say it loud and clear: we will never recognize this. Ukraine has every right to take back its territory “, tweeted Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.

Russia has said capturing all of Luhansk and Donetsk provinces has been the main focus of its “special military operation” since its invading forces were defeated in March on the outskirts of Kyiv.

It now holds around 60% of Donetsk and had captured almost all of Luhansk by July after slow advances during months of heavy fighting. But those gains are now under threat after Russian forces were driven out of neighboring Kharkiv province this month, losing control of their main supply lines for much of the Donetsk and Luhansk front lines.

The referendums were announced a day after Ukraine said its troops had regained a foothold in Luhansk, the village of Bilohorivka, and were preparing to advance through the province.

Ukraine’s Defense Ministry mocked Moscow, which claimed it had abandoned the Kharkiv front to “regroup” to fight elsewhere. “Why did the chicken cross the road?” tweeted the Ukrainian ministry. “Because he was regrouping.”

Russia controls most of Zaporizhzhia but not its regional capital. In Kherson, where the regional capital is the only major city Russia has so far captured intact since the invasion, Ukraine has launched a major counteroffensive.

Unverified footage on social media showed Ukrainian forces in Bilohorivka, which is just 10 km (6 miles) west of the town of Lysychansk, which fell to the Russians after weeks of fighting among the most intense of the war in July.

“There will be fights for every inch,” Ukrainian governor of Luhansk Serhiy Gaidai wrote on Telegram. “The enemy is preparing its defence. So we’re not just going to go in.”

Pro-Russian officials have said referendums could be held electronically. Russia held a referendum in Crimea eight years ago before declaring it annexed. Western countries dismissed these votes as illegal and fraudulent.

In a move aimed at bolstering Russia’s military in Ukraine, Russia’s parliament on Tuesday also approved a bill to toughen penalties for a host of crimes including desertion, damage to military property and insubordination, s were committed during military mobilization or combat situations. Read more

Reports from Reuters offices; Written by Andrew Osborn and Alex Richardson; Editing by Angus MacSwan and Peter Graff

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