The Russian occupiers are unlikely to be able to successfully hold the so-called “referendums” in September in order to annex the occupied Ukrainian territories to Russia. At the very least, it will not be possible to create the necessary picture that these people want to go to Russia, because there is critically little support for the occupiers. Such conclusions in their report for August 26 were made by experts from the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Analysts are sure that the “referendums” have every chance to fail again, despite the fact that the occupiers have formed election headquarters, commissions and compiled voter lists.

“The occupying authorities are unlikely to be able to hold the referenda as they intend (in cooperation with local collaborators) before the proposed 9/11 deadline due to continued friction within the occupying administrations and ongoing guerrilla attacks.. ] The occupational administration of the Kherson region is trying to find people who would head the administrative divisions preparing for the referendum, probably due to a lack of willing people among the local population and a low level of trust among Ukrainian collaborators,” experts say.

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They note that, most likely, Putin ordered to look for the heads of administrative bodies among the inhabitants of the occupied territories, and not among the Russians.. But very few people want. Also, preparations are hindered by Ukrainian resistance and partisan attacks..

“Although the Russian authorities could hypothetically forcefully annex Ukrainian territories on any date, they are unlikely to do so without holding referendums..

All observable indicators suggest that the Russian authorities are seeking to create a veneer of local support and participation ahead of referendums in order to present them as widely supported initiatives, but are facing persistent setbacks that will delay any attempts at annexation..

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Recall that the other day the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense reported that in Mariupol, temporarily occupied by Russian invaders, the majority of citizens do not plan to participate in a fake "