A local election commission member cuts unused ballots after the 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 voted at referendum on joining Russia from September 23 to 27.