Moscow-held regions of Ukraine hold ‘sham’ referendums on joining Russia

A man from Luhansk region votes in the so-called referendum (AP)

Voting has begun in Russian-held regions of Ukraine in so-called referendums to become part of Russia as Ukrainian and UN officials reported evidence of war crimes during the nearly seven-month war in the country.

The Kremlin-orchestrated referendums, which have been widely denounced by Ukraine and the West as shams without any legal force, are seen as a step toward annexing the territories by Russia.