From September 23 to 27, 2022, Russian occupation authorities held so-called "referenda" on joining the Russian Federation in the territories they controlled in Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Luhansk Oblasts.
Even before the results were announced, Russian propagandists claimed high voter turnout, significant public support, and a generally fair and transparent expression of the "people's will."
What was really happening in Kherson at that time? Local resident Victoria Kirilova, who remained in the city during the entire occupation, calls the pseudo-referendum a "5-day show."
September 23. In Kherson neighborhoods, mostly near markets, the occupiers set up mobile electoral precincts. "Imagine this picture: a stool on which a member of the electoral commission sits, another stool with ballots, and a garbage bag where these ballots are thrown, because the great and powerful (Russia - ed.) probably did not have enough money for ballot boxes. But where else could you throw this garbage but in a trash can? A Russian soldier with a machine gun was standing near the stools because this garbage had to be guarded," Viktoria recounted.
Were there any queues for the pseudo-referendum? Yes, of about 20 people, mostly over 70 years old, says Viktoria. Young people tried to avoid voting.
On the very same day, all credit card terminals were taken away, and payments with Ukrainian cards were blocked. All price tags absolutely everywhere now had to be in rubles only.
September 24. Since there were almost no people willing to join Russia, members of election commissions began going door-to-door with armed soldiers. And those who met them or opened the door to them were forced to put a "Yes" mark, even for their long-deceased spouse.
September 25. The occupiers finally had voting containers, because it was apparently too inconvenient to walk around with a garbage bag, says Kirilova. People continued trying to avoid points where the "referendum" was taking place on the street.
On September 27, the Russian occupiers already had the "results" ready to announce to Kherson's residents. According to them, 87.05% of voters allegedly expressed a desire for Kherson Oblast to become part of Russia.
Fortunately, a month and a half later, on November 11, the Ukrainian Armed Forces liberated Kherson from Russian occupation. People could hardly contain their joy when they saw the Ukrainian soldiers. Thus, the Kremlin's claims that Kherson would "be Russian forever" were proven to be ridiculous lies.
This material was prepared with financial support from the International Renaissance Foundation.
