UKRAINE’S Lugansk separatist region leader said he may hold a referendum on becoming part of Russia, after Moscow sent troops into its pro-Western neighbour.

“I think that in the near future a referendum will be held on the territory of the republic, during which the people will… express their opinion on joining the Russian Federation,” said Leonid Pasechnik, as quoted by Russian news agencies.

“For some reason, I am sure this will be the case.”

Russia launched its military action in Ukraine in late February, saying it is acting in defence of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk republics in the east of the country.

President Vladimir Putin had days earlier recognised the two regions as independent.

The industrial, mainly Russian-speaking regions broke from Kyiv’s control in 2014, in fights that claimed more than 14,000 lives over the next few years.

Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine that year, after a pro-Moscow leader was ousted in a popular uprising and a referendum was held in the southern region on becoming part of Russia. – AFP, March 27, 2022.