Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of planning to "falsify" an independence referendum in the partly occupied southern regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
In a video message Thursday evening, Zelensky urged residents of areas under occupation to not provide any personal information, like their passport numbers, to the Russian forces.
"This is not to help you... This is aimed to falsify the so-called referendum on your land, if an order comes from Moscow to stage such a show," the Ukrainian leader said.
"This is the reality. Be careful."
Kyiv in early March accused Moscow of planning a referendum in Kherson similar to a 2014 Crimea poll, in which an overwhelming number of residents voted to join the Russian federation.
That vote, which took place after a Russian takeover of the region, was condemned as illegal by Ukraine's government and the West.
The eastern pro-Russian territories of Donetsk and Lugansk also declared independence in the wake of referendums denounced as illegitimate by the international community.
"Any 'Kherson People's Republics' are not going to fly," Zelensky warned. "If someone wants a new annexation, it can only lead to new powerful sanctions strikes on Russia."
Kherson was the first major city to fall to Russian forces after their February 24 invasion of Ukraine.
To the north, the Russian army also controls a vast area surrounding the city of Zaporizhzhia, which remains in Ukrainian hands.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Zelensky Says Ukraine Controls 74 Russian Settlements Fire At Europe's Largest Nuclear Power Plant, Russia, Ukraine Trade Blames Ukraine Man, Son Die As Debris From Downed Russian Weapon Falls On House Video: Woman Tries To Jump Off Mumbai's Atal Setu, Saved By Driver, Cops Kolkata Rape-Murder Case Updates: Doctors On 24-Hour Nationwide Strike Parents Gave Names Of Interns, Doctors To CBI In Kolkata Horror: Sources Raksha Bandhan 2024: A Unique Tradition And Its Genesis PM Modi Addresses 3rd India-Hosted Voice Of Global South Summit Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah To Be Prosecuted In Land Scam Case Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.