Fact Check: Russia illegally annexed four regions from Ukraine in 2022.

Fact Check: "Russia illegally annexed four regions from Ukraine in 2022"

What We Know

On September 30, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed treaties declaring the annexation of four Ukrainian regions: Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia. This action followed a series of controversial referenda, which were widely criticized as being conducted under duress and lacking legitimacy. According to experts, these referenda were essentially "sham" votes, where citizens were coerced into voting for annexation under the threat of violence (source-1). The annexation was condemned by 143 members of the United Nations, who declared it illegal under international law (source-2).

The annexed territories account for approximately 15% of Ukraine's total area, an equivalent size to Portugal (source-1). Notably, at the time of the annexation, not all of these regions were fully under Russian control, and the boundaries of the annexed areas were not clearly defined (source-2).

Analysis

The claim that Russia illegally annexed four regions from Ukraine is supported by a substantial body of evidence and expert opinion. The annexation has been universally condemned by international bodies and governments, which assert that it violates the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity as outlined in international law (source-3). The U.S. government explicitly labeled the annexation as a "fraudulent attempt" to seize Ukrainian territory, reinforcing the view that it lacks legal standing (source-5).

The sources consulted are credible and include expert analyses from reputable institutions, news articles from established media outlets, and official statements from governments. For instance, the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute provided insights from experts who highlighted the implications of the annexation and its illegality (source-1). Major news organizations like The New York Times and NPR also reported on the event, emphasizing the international condemnation and the context of the annexation (source-4, source-5).

While some Russian narratives may attempt to justify the annexation by framing it as a response to local desires for integration with Russia, these claims are undermined by the overwhelming evidence of coercion and lack of genuine democratic process in the referenda (source-1).

Conclusion

The claim that "Russia illegally annexed four regions from Ukraine in 2022" is True. The annexation was executed through a process widely regarded as illegitimate and has been condemned by the international community as a violation of international law. The evidence from multiple credible sources supports this conclusion, highlighting the coercive nature of the referenda and the lack of control Russia had over the territories at the time of the annexation.