What's happened
Vladimir Putin reaffirms annexation of Ukrainian regions, as tensions rise and military actions intensify.
Why it matters
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to escalate, with Putin's reaffirmation of the annexation and vow for 'victory' indicating a potential escalation in hostilities and geopolitical implications.
What the papers say
The Independent reports on Dmitry Medvedev's statement about the continuation of the military operation and potential annexation of more regions within Russia. Metro provides Putin's remarks on the annexation and the West's denouncement of the referendum votes. The Times of Israel and AP News both cover Putin's insistence on the residents' choice to be part of Russia and the denouncement of the referendum votes by the West. The Guardian reports on the evacuation ordered in western Ukraine after a Russian attack on infrastructure, as well as Putin's remarks on the residents' desire to be part of Russia in recent local elections.
How we got here
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been ongoing, with tensions escalating and military actions intensifying. The annexation of Ukrainian regions by Russia has been a point of contention, leading to denouncement by the West.
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