The so-called head of the provisional administration of Zaporizhzhia region, Yevhen Balitsky, said that he had signed an order to begin preparations for a "referendum" on "joining" Russia. This was reported by the Russian news agency RIA Novosti.

"I sign the order of the Central Election Commission ... on the beginning and preparation for a referendum on the reunification of the Zaporozhye region with the Russian Federation," he said.

At the same time Balitsky did not say a word when such events are going to be held.