Russia’s Constitutional Court has approved the accession treaties signed by President Vladimir Putin allowing four former Ukrainian regions to become part of the Russian Federation after referendums.

Voting in referendums in several regions of Ukraine on joining Russia has entered the final day.

Russia is preparing for the next step of its military action in Ukraine after Moscow announced its forces would step up military operations in “all operational areas.”

The local governor of the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine has called on civilians to urgently evacuate the city of Sloviansk, as Russian forces push ahead to capture the entire Donbass.

After weeks of tension, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has ordered a military operation in Ukraine’s Donbass region.