Started referendums on joining Russia

1 Donbass — Ukraine On 23rd of September, at 8 AM, referendums on the joining of Russia have begun in the DPR, the LPR, in the Kherson region, and in the liberated parts of the Zaporozhye region. They will last until the end of 27th of September. For the security reasons, during the first few days, the people will vote not inside the polling stations, but in the neighborhoods, and at home — the TASS reported. The voting in the polling stations on the territory of the LPR, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions will be held on 27th of September, from 08:00 to 16:00. In the DPR, the polling stations will work on 27th of September, from 08:00 to 20:00. Special ’Telegram’ channels were made so that anyone can follow the voting process.

2 The EU The EU plans to impose sanctions on the Russian MPs, low-level officials, and other people, related with the referendums in the LPR, the DPR, the Kherson region, and the liberated parts of the Zaporozye region — the ’EUobserver’ reported while citing their sources. New sanctions will be activated after the voting takes place. Supposedly, the EU will blacklist some «Russian propagandists». The ’EUobserver’ didn’t specify the mentioned people.

3 Donbass Over the past day, the Ukrainian forces fired about 300 shells at the DPR settlements — the DPR representatives in the Joint Ceasefire Center reported. «The Kalininsky, Voroshilovsky, Kirovsky, Kievsky, Kuibyshevsky and Petrovsky districts of the city of Donetsk were hit. The Kirovsky and Chervonogvardeisky districts of the town of Makeevka, the towns of Novoselovka, Yasinovataya, Gorlovka, and the villages of Golmovsky and Zaitsevo were hit as well. «MLRS ’Grad’, artillery pieces, mortars, and unguided rockets were used during the attacks. A total of 297 shells and rockets were fired. 7 civilians were killed. 8 people were injured. 15 houses and 5 infrastructure facilities were damaged» — the Joint Ceasefire Center reported.

4 Russia On 23rd of September, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated that the IT workers, financiers, and the media staff won’t be subjected to the partial mobilization. «In order to ensure the operation of certain high-tech industries and the Russian financial systems, a decision was made to not recruit for the military service, as part of the partial mobilization, the citizens with higher education in the relevant specialties and areas of training, or currently working in accredited organizations that operate in the field of informational technology, as well as those involved in the development, implementation, maintenance, and operation of the informational technology and ensuring the functioning of the informational infrastructure» — the ministry concluded.

5 Russia — Kazakhstan The border service of the National Security Committee of Kazakhstan reported that the number of Russians, entering Kazakhstan, has increased. «There is an increase in the number of foreign citizens entering Kazakhstan at the Kazakh-Russian border. The existing 30 auto-checkpoints operate as usual. 4 checkpoints are being overcrowded due to the increased number of passengers and cars. The situation is under special control» — the message stated. The Border Service, together with the state authorities, ensure the security and law enforcement at the border crossing points — the TASS reported.

6 Armenia — Azerbaijan On 23rd of September, fire fights resumed on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Yerevan and Baku accused each other of opening fire first. Both sides insist that they fired back. The Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan stated that the Azerbaijani forces on the border line came under fire by the Armenian forces on the night of Thursday to Friday, from 23:45 till 08:30. Supposedly the Azerbaijani positions in the Tovuz and Kalbajar regions, and in the border region of Dashkasan, were under fire. Armenia denied those accusations. The Armenian Ministry of Defense stated that on Friday morning, the Azerbaijani forces fired on the Armenian positions from various places. ’’The message stated by the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry was a fake news. The Armenian forces didn’t open fire on the Azerbaijani positions during the night» — the Defense Ministry spokesman, Aram Torosyan, stated.

Constantine Reztsov, specially for the ANNA NEWS