Topline Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday signed legislation finalizing Moscow’s illegal annexation of four Ukrainian regions, pushing forward despite not controlling any of the four provinces and its troops retreating in the face of major military losses as Kyiv’s forces advance rapidly to retake occupied land. Russian President Vladimir Putin illegally annexed four Ukrainian regions.SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images Key Facts Putin signed legislation formally incorporating Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia into Russia, which represent around 15% of Ukraine’s territory. The Russian president’s approval is the final step in the annexation process, a move that is illegal under international law and has been widely denounced by Kyiv and Western leaders. Putin appointed the Russian-imposed leaders of the annexed regions to continue on in their roles until new heads are elected. Moscow does not completely control any of the four territories it claims and it is not clear precisely where the Kremlin believes Russia’s new international borders lie, something officials admitted is a work in progress. Putin’s annexation efforts have continued despite the major advances into occupied territory by Ukrainian troops, who reportedly brought Russian forces in southern Ukraine to the brink of collapse late Tuesday and forced a hasty retreat. The move compounds Russia’s significant territorial and military losses in recent weeks and raises further questions over how Moscow plans to defend its claimed territory. News Peg Putin’s approval follows vot… Click below to read the full story from Forbes
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