Following globally criticized referendums in eastern Ukraine, it is anticipated that Russia would shortly proclaim that it will invade the territory.

Once Vladimir Putin erroneously declares four Ukrainian districts to be Russian, the likelihood of Russia launching a nuclear war will increase, and Ukraine must be prepared, a regional governor has stated.

Pavlo Kyrylenko, the governor of the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, stated that the use of nuclear weapons would “plunge them (Russia) into an abyss” before any Russian response.

He also issued a warning to the tens of thousands of Russian men who are being mobilized to fight on the front lines: come to Ukraine and die, get injured, or be captured, or remain in Russia and rise against the Putin dictatorship.

Five days of voting in phony referendums on whether to join Russia was coming to a close in the Russian-occupied portions of his territory as well as the eastern and southern regions of Luhansk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson.

The unrecognized results revealed an overwhelming majority in favor of “yes,” paving the way for Russia’s formal annexation of the regions.

Mr. Kyrylenko stated that the action will not affect Ukraine’s determination to retake all territory captured by Russian forces.

When asked if it would increase the likelihood of a tactical nuclear strike by Russia, the governor stated: “This option requires consideration. I intend to reiterate myself. We must be prepared, and Russia must realize that such a move would throw them into an abyss before they ever act.”

He added that chemical and other illegal weapons of mass devastation were a threat.

The governor stated that efforts have been ongoing for some time to relocate individuals from front-line locations to lessen their exposure to such risks.

He stated that Ukraine was also bolstering its defenses in the Donetsk region to block Russian advances and counterattacking to recapture territory under Russian control.

This is occurring on separate fronts in the Donetsk region in two significant battles.

Russia is targeting the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, while Ukrainian forces are attempting to recover the Russian-held city of Lyman.

The Ukrainians are capitalizing on the momentum generated by a four-week counteroffensive that has reclaimed land in the neighboring Kharkiv region and caused Russia to accelerate its annexation plans.

When asked if he had a message for President Putin, Mr. Kyrylenko, who was wearing fatigues due to the war, stated that he did not see the value in giving messages to an “ill guy.” Instead, he desired to address the entire Russian population.

“Russians have a choice: either come here to the territory of Ukraine and die, return with body parts missing, or be imprisoned, or rise against the authorities on the ground in Russia,” he stated.