Russia intends to hold a referendum on the annexation of the occupied territories of Ukraine by September 15. Bloomberg writes about this, citing three sources.

According to them, Russian officials are preparing to organize a vote in the captured regions of Ukraine. The process is led by First Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of Russia Sergei Kiriyenko. Bloomberg sources said he regularly visits the occupied territories to oversee the preparations.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby also spoke about Russia's plans. According to him, Russia is now unfolding the same annexation scheme as in 2014, when it seized Crimea. Kirby noted that if nothing changes, the US will respond "quickly and harshly" with new sanctions.

At the same time, the Kremlin has repeatedly stated that there are no plans for a referendum. “It is not in the Kremlin to make decisions about referendums. We have repeatedly said that it is up to the people who live in these territories to decide their fate,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in early June.