Fortifying Democracy: Citizens in Russia and Chechnya Rally to Support UN Charter Self Determination Rights as Civilians Risk Violence to Vote in Democratic Referendums in Eastern Ukraine.
Despite increased military strikes in Eastern Ukraine, civilians head to the polls to vote in referendums to invoke their UN Charter Right of Self Determination and join the Russian Federation.
The day after a small anti-mobilization protest with an estimated 1,200 protesters occurred in Moscow, massive rallies erupted in Russia and Chechnya demonstration support for the referendums in Eastern Ukraine (Ukraine is an independent nation because it's citizens likewise voted in a referendum).
NBC reported the partial mobilization only impacted citizens with prior military experience:
“Speaking after him, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said 300,000 reservists would be called up initially.
Only those with relevant combat and service experience will be mobilized, he said. Another clause in the decree, which went into effect immediately, prevents most professional soldiers from terminating their contracts and leaving service until the partial mobilization is no longer in place (NBC).”
A Russian woman confronted an anti mobilization liberal, explaining why Russia's silence following the 2014 referendum led to death and the need to mobilize:
Rallies supporting the referendums on September 23rd exceeded the small turnout the night prior that protesters the mobilization of Russian citizens with military experience.
“Today the Referendums To Join Russia Started In Ukraine. Ukraine condemns it calling them a ‘propaganda show’ but never the less the voting begins in Russian-controlled territory of what is internationally recognized as Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, & Lugansk Regions (Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics).”
Scenes from Moscow show large crowds in support of the referendums in Ukraine:
There was also a large rally supporting the democratic referendums in Grozny, Chechyna:
Videos of the rallies in support of the referendums in Ukraine:
Videos of citizens voting throughout Eastern Ukraine:
Workers in Mariupol waiting to vote:
Citizens voting in Melitopol:
More images from citizens exercising their UN Charter right of self-determination:
Compilation videos of the first day of voting for the referendum:
Patrick Lancaster shows Ukranian POWs voting in the referendum: