Crimea prepares for referendum whether to join Russia
- 10 years ago
The signs are up. The curtains are being cut. And poll workers in Crimea are finalizing preparations for the upcoming referendum.
Voters will decide Sunday whether they'll leave Ukraine and join Russia.
One pensioner in Simferopol came early to make sure she was registered.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) SIMFEROPOL PENSIONER, LIDIA VASILYEVNA, SAYING:
"People are waiting for really big changes. We are hoping for that. And I believe it will happen. I have survived the war, starvation, and I have seen a lot. And for me it is a celebration. It's like a tiny piece of Victory Day -- no matter the result of the referendum. But I know what the result will be. We are going into Russia. We are going home."
Officials are expecting a large turnout.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) HEAD OF REFERENDUM COMMISSION NUMBER 08160, VALENTINA NEDASHKOVSKAYA, SAYING:
"Many people are coming to vote. They are very active, active as ever, because all the people want to vote. They want t
Voters will decide Sunday whether they'll leave Ukraine and join Russia.
One pensioner in Simferopol came early to make sure she was registered.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) SIMFEROPOL PENSIONER, LIDIA VASILYEVNA, SAYING:
"People are waiting for really big changes. We are hoping for that. And I believe it will happen. I have survived the war, starvation, and I have seen a lot. And for me it is a celebration. It's like a tiny piece of Victory Day -- no matter the result of the referendum. But I know what the result will be. We are going into Russia. We are going home."
Officials are expecting a large turnout.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) HEAD OF REFERENDUM COMMISSION NUMBER 08160, VALENTINA NEDASHKOVSKAYA, SAYING:
"Many people are coming to vote. They are very active, active as ever, because all the people want to vote. They want t