US: Russia is trying to take Donetsk and Luhansk by referendum

2022-05-03 09:15:16Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
US: Russia is trying to take Donetsk and Luhansk by referendum
The war in Ukraine

Ukrainian authorities say a Russian missile strike hit the Black Sea port of Odessa, killing a 15-year-old inside his apartment.

Earlier, Moscow confirmed that it had also hit a railway bridge at the Dniester estuary west of the city.

The destruction of the bridge cuts off access to arms shipments and other cargo from neighboring Romania. Experts say the attack shows Russia is opening a new battle front in the conflict.

Eastern Ukraine continues to be Russia's main target. Local authorities released the video of the burning of a historic school after the bombing in Luhansk.

The US reiterates its claim that Russia is planning to annex Donetsk and Luhansk.

"According to the latest reports, we believe that Russia will try to annex the Donetsk People's Republic and the so-called Luhansk People's Republic to Russia. "Reports say Moscow has plans to hold a referendum on membership by mid-May," said Michael Carpenter, the US ambassador to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

In the Ukrainian capital, locals have begun reconstruction. Areas from the north of the Kiev region were bombed and occupied by Russian troops just a month ago. After Russian forces withdrew, municipal emergency teams and volunteers began working to restore basic services such as electricity, water and gas.

Denmark becomes the first Nordic country to reopen its embassy in Kiev, Sweden will follow in the same footsteps as other countries are expected to do.


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