Russia: Appointed head of Kherson casts vote in Russian annexation referendum

The head of the Russian-appointed administration of occupied Kherson, Ukraine – Volodymyr Saldo – cast his vote in a referendum on annexation that European election monitors warned would not be internationally recognized.

Footage posted to Saldo’s Telegram on Friday, September 23, shows the Russia-appointed official casting his ballot inside a theater in the center of the city.

The referendum across Russian-occupied Ukraine could see territories incorporated into the Russian state.

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe said any election or referendum held in Ukraine could only “be announced and conducted by legitimate authorities in compliance with national legislation and international standards,” and called Russia’s plans “illegal.”

Credit: Volodymyr Saldo via Storyful