Russia holds ‘sham’ referendums to annex occupied areas of Ukraine

The war in Ukraine has reached a new and highly dangerous phase.

Residents today began voting in four areas the Russian army has largely captured. On the ballot, whether they want to become part of Russia.

The vote has been widely rejected here and by politicians in the West as a sham – but it would mean that in the eyes of Moscow any military action launched by Ukrainian forces to regain their own land can be seen as an attack on Russia itself.

Shot and Edited by Soren Munk. Produced by Rob Hodge.