Residents hold ballots during a referendum on joining Russia at a polling station in Melitopol, Zaporizhzhia region, partially controlled by pro-Russian troops, Ukraine. The people's republics of Donetsk and Luhansk (DPR, LPR), as well as the Russian-controlled parts of the Ukrainian regions of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson launch referendum procedures on joining Russia that will run through September 27.