Zaporozhye Oblast (Russia) cause 2022 referendums in Russian-occupied Ukraine
Annexation by Russia and further developments (July 2022–present)
On 28 July, Meduza reported that temporary departments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation had been set up in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts of Ukraine.On 8 August, Balitsky announced at the forum that a referendum on "reunification" with Russia would be held in the region, and signed the corresponding order of the CEC. The election commission, according to the statement, began to form as early as July 23. The referendum was expected to be held in September.On 8 September, it was announced that referendums would be held in all the occupied territories of Ukraine from 23 to 27 September, the purpose of which was the annexation of these territories. According to the MCA, 93.11% of voters in the referendum voted for the region to become part of Russia. After the announcement of the results, Balitsky said that "Zaporizhzhia Oblast de facto separated from Ukraine". In September, the administration founded the Pavel Sudoplatov Battalion. On September 28, the Zaporizhzhia MCA announced the withdrawal of the region from Ukraine.