Russian-backed separatists in the region of Donetsk said on Tuesday they will stage a referendum between September 23 and 27 on whether it will become part of the Russian Federation, as decided by the councils of the pro-Russian administrations of the People’s Republics of the two regions of Donbas and according to what Ria Novosti reports.

In a post on social media addressed to Putin, Denis Pushilin, head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) wrote: “I ask you, as soon as possible, in the event of a positive decision in the referendum – which we have no doubt about – to consider the DPR becoming a part of Russia.”

“Donbas is returning home. I consider the bill timely. I ask the Members to support it. The dates of the referendum are September 23-27,” said Denis Pushilin, head of the Donetsk People’s Republic.

The separatist Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR) also said on Tuesday it intends to hold a referendum on joining Russia on the same dates, and Russian-installed officials in occupied parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia provinces have made similar calls.

Russia recognised Luhansk and Donetsk as independent countries at the start of its invasion in February, and now says securing their territory is the main purpose of its “special military operation”.

Commenting on the developments, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said: “The people of Donbas want to determine their own destiny.” The European leaders have made it clear that they would not accept the results of “fictitious referendums” in Ukraine.

Earlier today, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said it was “vital” for pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine to hold referendums in Luhansk and Donetsk provinces to join Russia.

In a post on social media, Medvedev, who is now deputy chairman of Russia’s powerful Security Council, said it was vital for the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics to officially become part of Russia to protect their interests and further justify Russia’s use of military force.

“Trespassing on the territory of Russia is a crime which allows us to use all defense forces,” he explained.

Pro-Russian separatists in the Donbas — made up of the two self-proclaimed provinces — have been discussing joining Russia since 2014, when they first tried to break free from Kiev’s control after the violent overthrow of the government of Viktor Yanukovych dubbed the “Revolution of Dignity” by western media.

Moscow-appointed officials in other regions of Ukraine seized by Russian forces after the invasion of the country — Kherson, and Zaporizhia — have said for months they want to hold referendums on joining Russia.

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