As referendums end, a declaration of Russian annexation is expected to follow.

The Russian-led referendums in occupied parts of Ukraine are expected to show that a majority of residents voted to join Russia, with the Kremlin then formally announcing annexation as soon as this week.

The voting, which has drawn broad international condemnation as rigged, concludes Tuesday in Donetsk and Luhansk in the east, and Kherson and Zaporizka in the south.

If the regions are annexed, Russia has said, it would defend them as though they were Russian territory, including, potentially, with its arsenal of nuclear weapons. Read more

@nytimes