Russia is planning imminently to "annex" two eastern regions of Ukraine battered by its invasion, according to the US ambassador to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, APA reports citing BBC.

Speaking to reporters in Washington, Michael Carpenter said: "According to the most recent reports, we believe that Russia will try to annex the Donetsk People's Republic and Lugansk People's Republic to Russia.

"The reports state that Russia plans to engineer referenda upon joining sometime in mid-May."

Earlier this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced he was recognising the independence of the two breakaway regions.

The self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic are in the east of Ukraine and could allow Russia to move troops into the country.

https://apa.az/en/america/russia-plans-to-annex-two-ukrainian-regions-us-official-375047