Referendums in Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia Seen as paving the way for Russian escalation of war Denounced as illegal, illegitimate by Ukraine, West Regions represent about 15% of Ukraine territory KYIV, Sept 23 (Reuters) – Russia launched referendums on Friday aimed at annexing four occupied regions of Ukraine, raising the stakes in the seven-month-old war with what Kyiv called an illegal sham that saw residents threatened with punishment if they did not vote. The votes on whether the regions should become part of Russia began after Ukraine earlier this month recaptured large swathes of northeastern territory in a counteroffensive. Russia’s seven-month war has killed tens of thousands, uprooted millions and pummelled the global economy. With Russian President Vladimir Putin also announcing this week a military draft to enlist 300,000 troops to fight in Ukraine, the Kremlin appears to be trying to regain the upper hand in the grinding conflict. […]