{O/C} {Good evening}
Ukrainian voters headed to the polls today for Kremlin-spearheaded plebiscites on whether to integrate into Russia.
While dissidents are denouncing the votes as rigged, the race is on for many Russians to escape the conscription order.
{Take SOT}
As gun-toting soldiers presided over the referendums, one question is swirling: Are the votes a precursor to a complete Russian takeover of Ukraine?
Favouring incorporation into Russia would also allow the Kremlin to accuse Ukrainian forces of assailing Russia.
But voters were ambivalent.
{Upsound 00:24 - 00:25}
This Mariupol resident said he preferred life under Ukraine's government.
{Upsound 00:31 - 00:32}
But this woman was optimistic that Ukrainians would reunite, whatever the outcome.
The Moscow-installed head of Donetsk was convinced Ukrainians were not dispirited by the 2014 Crimean status vote, and joining Russia would be a better way forward.
But the West condemned the "sham" votes as an opportunity for Putin to annex more of Ukraine's territory.
Putin is also facing the music for his conscription decree that prompted Russians to flee.
People scrambled to leave, creating massive traffic jams, with air tickets sold out.
{Soundbite}
It's just insane, like, all my friends in danger.
{Upsound 01:21 - 01:22}
{VO}
President Zelensky empowered Russian protesters to support his country's freedom.
Putin's partial mobilisation order could conscript 300,000 reservists.
Agonising wails rang out across Russia as families bid their tearful farewells to their drafted family members, praying for a reunion.
{O/C} {And for the record}
Russian shelling is persisting across Ukraine as the war engulfs the entire country.
{RVO}
Ukraine's presidential office said the latest barrage killed at least three and wounded 19.
A Russian missile wrecked one apartment building in Zaporizhzhia, killing one person and injuring seven others.
As the latest bombardment bruised the country, about 100 protesters demonstrated against the Russian-engineered referendum, carrying posters that read "Mariupol is Ukraine."
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