[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] As the referendum conducted by Russia to annex four occupied regions of Ukraine ends on the 27th, Western countries are fiercely condemning it as a violation of international law. Amid growing internal opposition, including a massive overseas escape of draft evaders following Russian President Vladimir Putin's military mobilization order, the Russian government has postponed the decision to close the borders.
On the 26th (local time), major foreign media reported that while the Russian government has not decided whether to close the borders amid the mass exodus of its citizens, the results of the territorial annexation referendum in four occupied areas of Ukraine are expected to be announced on the 27th. According to local media, there is also speculation that the Russian government may discuss a bill to annex parts of Ukraine with the parliament as early as the 27th.
Since the 23rd, Russia has been conducting a referendum in four areas: the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and Luhansk People's Republic (LPR), established by pro-Russian separatist forces in eastern Ukraine, as well as the southern Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. Western countries have dismissed this as a 'fake illegal vote' and have taken a stance of not recognizing the referendum.
TASS news agency reported that the overall voter turnout exceeded 50% in three areas including the Donbas region, validating the referendum, but BBC pointed out that the vote was conducted unfairly, with armed Russian soldiers asking residents for their opinions on approval or disapproval.
Inside Russia, opposition is spreading as draft evaders continue to flee the country following the partial mobilization order targeting reservists. Major foreign media reported that after the mobilization order was declared, flights from Russia were sold out, and vehicles lined up for 48 hours on the road to neighboring Georgia. State-run media and pro-government commentators have also criticized the government for conscripting excessively elderly men.
Concerns grew that Russia might soon close its borders due to the ongoing mass exodus, but the Russian government has postponed the decision on border closure. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov responded to questions about the possibility of border closure by saying, "I do not know anything," and "No decision has been made at this point." Russian media headquartered overseas reported that the Russian government might close the borders only to men of conscription age. Russian outlet Novaya Gazeta reported, "Since the partial mobilization order was declared, 261,000 people have left Russia."
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