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Russian recognition and attempted annexation of Donetsk and Luhansk, 2022

Russia recognized the DPR and LPR as independent states shortly before its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, then attempted to annex both regions along with Kherson and Zaporizhzhia following disputed referendums.

What happened

On 21 February 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed decrees recognizing the Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic as independent states, along with agreements on friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance with each.[1]

From 23 to 27 September 2022, Russian-organized "referendums" were held in parts of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions; on 30 September 2022, President Putin signed treaties purporting to annex all four regions into the Russian Federation.[2]

On 12 October 2022, UN General Assembly Resolution ES-11/4 condemned these referendums and the subsequent attempted annexation, declared them to have no validity under international law, called on all states not to recognize any such altered status, and demanded Russia reverse its decisions and withdraw its forces from Ukraine; the resolution was adopted with a reported 143 states in favour, 5 against and 35 abstaining.[3][4]

Sources for this page

Each number marks a specific claim. Notes give the source, its locator and how it relates to the claim.

  1. 1.

    Claim: On 21 February 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed decrees recognizing the Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic as independent states, along with agreements on friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance with each; the decision was approved by the State Duma the same day.

    • Russian annexation of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts (Wikipedia) link, Recognition decrees section. Source record
  2. 2.

    Claim: From 23 to 27 September 2022, Russian-organized "referendums" were held in parts of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions of Ukraine; on 30 September 2022, President Putin signed treaties purporting to annex all four regions into the Russian Federation.

    • Russian annexation of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts (Wikipedia) link, Referendums and annexation treaty section. Source record
  3. 3.

    Claim: On 12 October 2022, UN General Assembly Resolution ES-11/4 condemned Russia's organization of the 23-27 September 2022 "illegal so-called referendums" in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia and the subsequent attempted annexation; declared these acts to have no validity under international law and incapable of altering the regions' status; called on all states, international organizations and UN specialized agencies not to recognize any such altered status; and demanded that Russia immediately and unconditionally reverse its 21 February and 29 September 2022 decisions and withdraw its military forces from Ukraine.

    • United Nations General Assembly, General Assembly Resolution ES-11/4: Territorial integrity of Ukraine: defending the principles of the Charter of the United Nations (United Nations) link, Preamble and operative paragraphs 1-5. Source record
  4. 4.

    Claim: Resolution ES-11/4 was adopted with a reported 143 states in favour, 5 against, 35 abstaining and 10 not voting.

    • Russian annexation of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts (Wikipedia) link, UN vote section. Source record

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