According to Lahuta, the Kremlin deputy chief-of-staff conveyed these instructions at a recent meeting with local collaborators at Kherson’s administrative building complex. He gave them a mandate to “organize a referendum on including Kherson into the Russian Federation by autumn.”
“That’s their latest decision – initially they mulled on declaring a ‘republic,’ including (Kherson) into Crimea; now it’s about joining Russia,” said Lahuta.
Meanwhile, Ukraine maintains its armed forces will liberate the region from Russian occupation, whatever plans Moscow might have for it:
“The only appeal that can be prepared by the ‘Gauleiters’ of Kherson Oblast is a request for an excuse (pardon) after a court verdict,” said Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to the Office of the President of Ukraine, in a Twitter post on May 11.
“The invaders (might as well) ask to join Mars or Jupiter; the Ukrainian army will liberate Kherson, no matter what word games they play.”
On June 1, Lahuta said that Ukrainian forces have liberated over 20 settlements in the region.