[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Russian military is reportedly attempting to hold a referendum to establish the recently occupied southern Ukrainian city of Kherson as an independent republic. This is interpreted as a strategy to create a puppet regime centered around pro-Russian rebel groups, similar to the eastern Donbas region, in order to separate it from Ukraine.
On the 12th (local time), according to major foreign media including CNN, Sergey Khlan, deputy chairman of the Kherson Regional Council under Russian occupation, stated on social media (SNS) that "the occupiers are preparing a referendum to create the Kherson People's Republic." Deputy Chairman Khlan said, "The Russian military summoned the council members and demanded cooperation," adding, "I firmly refused to cooperate with them."
He continued, "The establishment of the Kherson People's Republic will drive our region into a pit of despair without future or life," urging, "Other council members should also refuse to cooperate." This move is analyzed as a strategy to create a puppet regime dominated by pro-Russian rebel groups within Kherson, promoting separatist movements from Ukraine similar to the eastern Donbas region.
Previously, during the 2014 Donbas war in Ukraine, pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine held referendums to establish the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and Luhansk People's Republic (LPR). Since then, the DPR and LPR have been engaged in civil war with the Ukrainian government forces for eight years with Russian support, and Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the independence of the DPR and LPR on the 22nd of last month.
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