All 32 organizers of pseudo-referendums in the occupied territories of Ukraine, as well as so-called observers, have been identified and will be held accountable, the secretary of the National Security and Defence Council (NSDC), Oleksiy Danilov, has told the Radio Liberty radio.
According to the NSDC press service, Danilov drew attention to the fact that there are fewer citizens in occupied territories than the number of voters who allegedly cast ballots in these pseudo-referendums.
"Pro-Kremlin media gathered extras and shot a staged video, playing a comedy about the so-called Novorossia," he said.
He also said that a small number of foreign "political tourists" who are illegally staying in the territory of Ukraine, as they did not cross the Ukrainian border through official checkpoints, took part in this farce.
Danilov said that the so-called referendums would not have any legal consequences, as the right to organize them in Ukraine belongs exclusively to the Central Electoral Commission of Ukraine. He expressed hope that the civilized world "will also respond to them adequately".
Russian occupiers held pseudo-referendums in the occupied parts of Kherson, Luhansk, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhya regions from 23 to 27 September. Armed soldiers broke into people's homes to "motivate" them to take part in the fictitious voting. They also brought people from Crimea for "voting".
According to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the Russians formalized the "results" of the pseudo-referendums back in early September.
Ukraine does not recognize the illegal "annexation" of its territory by Russia and will de-occupy it. Statements on non-recognition were also made by allies, in particular the USA and the EU.