Putin’s improbable referendum results

Sir, – Kremlin assertions that the electorates in the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine voted to joint Russia seem highly improbable.

Two academic-led surveys undertaken in 2016 and 2019 by the Berlin based ZIOS (Centre for East European and International Studies) inform us that even in separatist-controlled Donbas, 55 per cent of respondents wished to remain within the Ukrainian state.

Furthermore, only 12 per cent of respondents identified themselves first and foremost as Russian.

In light of the devastation visited upon this region by the invading Russian army over the past months, it is simply not credible that there has been a change of heart, unless of course, voters at the ballot box were “made an offer they couldn’t refuse”. – Yours, etc,