<p>Warning Russians that their president was knowingly "sending them to their death," in his address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made an appeal to them to surrender on getting opportunity.</p>

<p>Calling on Moscow's forces to surrender, Zelensky said that Ukrainian forces would “liberate our entire country.”</p>

<p>"It is better to run away from a criminal mobilisation than to be crippled and then held responsible in court for participating in a war of aggression,"&nbsp;he added.</p>

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<p>Zelensky also&nbsp;chided Israel for its reluctance to send weapons while saying that it would help Ukraine as much as it could.</p>

<p>Israel's Iron Dome system which is effectively used to intercept rockets fired by Palestinian militants in Gaza, has been mentioned often by Zelensky as it would help counter Russian missiles.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-fires-deputy-defence-chief-after-supply-failures-in-ukraine-to-be-replaced-by-butcher-of-mariupol-519501">Putin fires deputy defence chief after supply failures in Ukraine</a></strong></p>

<p>After the attacks on areas from Crimea to the Donetsk region, Ukraine has been clawing back territory in a counter-offensive.</p>

<p>Following the partial mobilisation President Vladimir Putin ordered this week, Russia also passed a law toughening punishments for voluntary surrender and desertion.</p>

<p>Replacing its top logistics general on Saturday after a series of setbacks, Putin also announced a military draft this week to enlist 300,000 troops to fight in Ukraine.</p>

<p>With Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov saying that regions of Ukraine where widely-derided referendums are being held would be under Russia's "full protection" if annexed by Moscow,&nbsp;Russia has sought to defend its seven-month-old war at the United Nations.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Warning Russians that their president was knowingly "sending them to their death," in his address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made an appeal to them to surrender on getting opportunity.

Warning Russians that their president was knowingly "sending them to their death," in his address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made an appeal to them to surrender on getting opportunity. Calling on Moscow's forces to surrender, Zelensky said that Ukrainian forces would “liberate our entire country.” "It is better to run away from a criminal mobilisation than to be crippled and then held responsible in court for participating in a war of aggression," he added. × Zelensky also chided Israel for its reluctance to send weapons while saying that it would help Ukraine as much as it could. Israel's Iron Dome system which is effectively used to intercept rockets fired by Palestinian militants in Gaza, has been mentioned often by Zelensky as it would help counter Russian missiles. Also read | Putin fires deputy defence chief after supply failures in Ukraine After the attacks on areas from Crimea to the Donetsk region, Ukraine has been clawing back territory in a counter-offensive. Following the partial mobilisation President Vladimir Putin ordered this week, Russia also passed a law toughening punishments for voluntary surrender and desertion. Replacing its top logistics general on Saturday after a series of setbacks, Putin also announced a military draft this week to enlist 300,000 troops to fight in Ukraine. With Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov saying that regions of Ukraine where widely-derided referendums are being held would be under Russia's "full protection" if annexed by Moscow, Russia has sought to defend its seven-month-old war at the United Nations. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: ×

Russian president is knowingly 'sending its citizens to their death', says Ukraine

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<p>Russia is aiming to annex&nbsp;four occupied regions of Ukraine and hence the launched referendums on Friday (September 23). The referendums can prove to be a turning point in the seven-month-old war but Kyiv has termed them&nbsp;sham.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ukraine&nbsp;also claimed that it saw residents threatened with punishment if they did not vote. The Ukrainian officials have claimed that people were banned from leaving some occupied areas until the four-day vote was over.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per the officials, armed groups were going to homes to force people to cast ballots, and employees were threatened with sacking if they did not participate.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/italys-silvio-berlusconi-says-putin-pushed-into-ukraine-war-519112">Italy's Silvio&nbsp;Berlusconi says Putin 'pushed' into Ukraine war</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Yuriy Sobolevsky, the displaced first deputy council chairman of the Kherson region, said, "Today, the best thing for the people of Kherson would be not to open their doors."&nbsp;</p>

<p>The results of the referendums will be extremely important for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who recently announced a military draft this week to enlist 300,000 troops to fight in Ukraine.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Voting is underway in the provinces of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia in the east and southeast. These regions represent about 15 per cent of Ukrainian territory. The voting was due to run from Friday to Tuesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>'We struggled for eight years for this'&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>The military of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR) is voting on the referendum on joining Russia as military personnel of Luhansk cast their votes. "We've been waiting for it for a long time. It was a tortuous time for us. A lot of lives were lost for it," said Sergey Moiseenko, a member of the LPR military.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-army-warns-anti-hijab-protesters-says-will-confront-enemies-to-ensure-peace-519087">Iran's army warns anti-hijab protesters, says will 'confront enemies' to ensure peace</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<p><strong>Ukraine says recaptured territory in east</strong></p>

<p>As the annexation polls opened, Ukraine on the other hand claimed on Friday that its forces had recaptured a village in the eastern Donetsk region and territory around another war-scarred town there.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Oleksiy Gromov, a senior army official, told reporters: "The Ukrainian army has retaken the village of Yatskivka in Donetsk region." He said that Kyiv's forces had "regained control over positions to the south of Bakhmut".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Yatskivka sits on the eastern bank of the strategic Oskil river, which Kyiv's forces crossed after recapturing swathes of territory in the neighbouring Kharkiv region.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Bakhmut is an important city located in the Donetsk region.&nbsp;</p>

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Russia is aiming to annex four occupied regions of Ukraine and hence the launched referendums on Friday (September 23). The referendums can prove to be a turning point in the seven-month-old war but Kyiv has termed them sham.

Russia is aiming to annex four occupied regions of Ukraine and hence the launched referendums on Friday (September 23). The referendums can prove to be a turning point in the seven-month-old war but Kyiv has termed them sham. Ukraine also claimed that it saw residents threatened with punishment if they did not vote. The Ukrainian officials have claimed that people were banned from leaving some occupied areas until the four-day vote was over. As per the officials, armed groups were going to homes to force people to cast ballots, and employees were threatened with sacking if they did not participate. ALSO READ | Italy's Silvio Berlusconi says Putin 'pushed' into Ukraine war Yuriy Sobolevsky, the displaced first deputy council chairman of the Kherson region, said, "Today, the best thing for the people of Kherson would be not to open their doors." The results of the referendums will be extremely important for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who recently announced a military draft this week to enlist 300,000 troops to fight in Ukraine. Voting is underway in the provinces of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia in the east and southeast. These regions represent about 15 per cent of Ukrainian territory. The voting was due to run from Friday to Tuesday. 'We struggled for eight years for this' The military of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR) is voting on the referendum on joining Russia as military personnel of Luhansk cast their votes. "We've been waiting for it for a long time. It was a tortuous time for us. A lot of lives were lost for it," said Sergey Moiseenko, a member of the LPR military. ALSO READ | Iran's army warns anti-hijab protesters, says will 'confront enemies' to ensure peace × Ukraine says recaptured territory in east As the annexation polls opened, Ukraine on the other hand claimed on Friday that its forces had recaptured a village in the eastern Donetsk region and territory around another war-scarred town there. Oleksiy Gromov, a senior army official, told reporters: "The Ukrainian army has retaken the village of Yatskivka in Donetsk region." He said that Kyiv's forces had "regained control over positions to the south of Bakhmut". Yatskivka sits on the eastern bank of the strategic Oskil river, which Kyiv's forces crossed after recapturing swathes of territory in the neighbouring Kharkiv region. Meanwhile, Bakhmut is an important city located in the Donetsk region. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Ukraine says residents coerced into Russian referendum vote

<p>Just days after ordering a partial mobilisation, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday signed amendments toughening punishment for voluntary surrender and refusal to fight by up to 10 years in prison.</p>

<p>Following the mobilisation designed to increase the ranks of his army fighting a military operation in Ukraine, a separate law facilitating access to Russian citizenship for foreigners who enlist in the Russian army was also signed.</p>

<p>Drawing condemnation from Kiev and Western nations who dismissed the ongoing voting in four captured regions as a sham and pledged not to recognise their results.&nbsp;Russia launched referendums on Friday aimed at annexing four occupied regions of Ukraine.</p>

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<p>The Kremlin appears to be trying to regain the upper hand in the grinding conflict with Putin also announcing a military draft this week to enlist 300,000 troops to fight in Ukraine.</p>

<p>Addressing people in parts of Ukraine occupied by Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, "Hide from Russian mobilisation in any way you can. Avoid draft orders. Try to move to the territory of free Ukraine."</p>

<p>Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, tens of thousands of people have been killed while millions of Ukrainians have fled the&nbsp;country.</p>

<p>Tass cited a local official as saying that the turnout on Friday was 23.6 per cent in the Donetsk region.</p>

<p>Starobilsk's population was banned from leaving and people were being forced out of homes to vote, according to Ukraine's Luhansk governor Serhiy Gaidai.</p>

<p>Condemning the votes as an illegitimate precursor to illegal annexation, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau decried the "fake referendums".<br />
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<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Just days after ordering a partial mobilisation, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday signed amendments toughening punishment for voluntary surrender and refusal to fight by up to 10 years in prison.

Just days after ordering a partial mobilisation, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday signed amendments toughening punishment for voluntary surrender and refusal to fight by up to 10 years in prison. Following the mobilisation designed to increase the ranks of his army fighting a military operation in Ukraine, a separate law facilitating access to Russian citizenship for foreigners who enlist in the Russian army was also signed. Drawing condemnation from Kiev and Western nations who dismissed the ongoing voting in four captured regions as a sham and pledged not to recognise their results. Russia launched referendums on Friday aimed at annexing four occupied regions of Ukraine. × The Kremlin appears to be trying to regain the upper hand in the grinding conflict with Putin also announcing a military draft this week to enlist 300,000 troops to fight in Ukraine. Addressing people in parts of Ukraine occupied by Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, "Hide from Russian mobilisation in any way you can. Avoid draft orders. Try to move to the territory of free Ukraine." Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, tens of thousands of people have been killed while millions of Ukrainians have fled the country. Tass cited a local official as saying that the turnout on Friday was 23.6 per cent in the Donetsk region. Starobilsk's population was banned from leaving and people were being forced out of homes to vote, according to Ukraine's Luhansk governor Serhiy Gaidai. Condemning the votes as an illegitimate precursor to illegal annexation, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau decried the "fake referendums". (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: ×

Russian President Putin toughens punishment for voluntary surrender, desertion with 10 years’ jail

<p>Kyiv's Western allies were swift to condemn the referendums announced by Russia in four regions of Ukraine. Western allies German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called the referendums "sham" votes, while French President Emmanuel Macron described them as a "travesty". The United States said they were "an affront to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity" and that Washington would never recognise Russian claims to annexed Ukrainian territory.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed Western allies for speaking up on the referendums.</p>

<p>"I thank all the friends and partners of Ukraine for their massive and firm condemnation of Russia's intentions to organise yet more pseudo-referendums," he said in his daily address.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-russian-losses-mount-in-ukraine-so-does-criticism-back-home-515780">As Russian losses mount in Ukraine, so does criticism back home</a></p>

<p>Zelensky, however, played down the entire matter. "Today there was pretty big news from Russia. But what actually happened? Have we heard anything we didn't hear before?" he said.</p>

<p>"Our position does not change according to this noise or any other announcement. Let's preserve our unity, protect Ukraine, liberate our land and not show any weakness."</p>

<p>Russia plans to hold referendums in occupied areas of four Ukrainian regions in the coming days, a move that is being seen as a challenge to the West that could sharply escalate the war.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the apparently coordinated move, pro-Russian figures announced referendums for September 23-27 in Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia provinces, representing around 15% of Ukrainian territory.</p>

<p>The planned annexation referendums come as Ukrainian forces have made notable gains in the northeastern Kharkiv region and in the east.</p>

<p>The votes follow the model of the 2014 referendum by which Russia annexed the Crimea peninsula in southern Ukraine, which Kyiv and the West refused to recognise.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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Kyiv's Western allies were swift to condemn the referendums announced by Russia in four regions of Ukraine. Western allies German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called the referendums "sham" votes, while French President Emmanuel Macron described them as a "travesty".

Kyiv's Western allies were swift to condemn the referendums announced by Russia in four regions of Ukraine. Western allies German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called the referendums "sham" votes, while French President Emmanuel Macron described them as a "travesty". The United States said they were "an affront to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity" and that Washington would never recognise Russian claims to annexed Ukrainian territory. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed Western allies for speaking up on the referendums. "I thank all the friends and partners of Ukraine for their massive and firm condemnation of Russia's intentions to organise yet more pseudo-referendums," he said in his daily address. Also Read | As Russian losses mount in Ukraine, so does criticism back home Zelensky, however, played down the entire matter. "Today there was pretty big news from Russia. But what actually happened? Have we heard anything we didn't hear before?" he said. "Our position does not change according to this noise or any other announcement. Let's preserve our unity, protect Ukraine, liberate our land and not show any weakness." Russia plans to hold referendums in occupied areas of four Ukrainian regions in the coming days, a move that is being seen as a challenge to the West that could sharply escalate the war. In the apparently coordinated move, pro-Russian figures announced referendums for September 23-27 in Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia provinces, representing around 15% of Ukrainian territory. The planned annexation referendums come as Ukrainian forces have made notable gains in the northeastern Kharkiv region and in the east. The votes follow the model of the 2014 referendum by which Russia annexed the Crimea peninsula in southern Ukraine, which Kyiv and the West refused to recognise. (With inputs from agencies)

Ukraine's Western allies condemn Russian referendum plans for occupied regions