Thread by @ukraine_world

How Russia held its pseudo-referendum in Kherson: a local woman's story. #UkraineWorldTestimony 1/11

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. 2/11

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.” 3/11

What was really happening at that time? Local resident Victoria Kirilova, who remained in the city during the entire occupation, calls the pseudo-referendum a "5-day show."

Sept. 23. In Kherson neighborhoods, mostly near markets, the 🇷🇺 set up mobile electoral precincts. 4/11

"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. 5/11

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. 6/11

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. 7/11

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. 8/11

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. 9/11

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. 10/11

Fortunately, a month later, on Nov. 11, the 🇺🇦 Armed Forces liberated Kherson from 🇷🇺 occupation. People could hardly contain their joy when they saw the 🇺🇦 soldiers. Thus, the Kremlin's claims that Kherson would “be Russian forever” were proven to be ridiculous lies. 11/11