Ukrainians who remain in the temporarily occupied territories are advised not to participate in illegal "referendums", as well as not to cooperate with the occupiers and not to obtain a Russian passport. This was stated by the Minister of Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories, Iryna Vereshchuk, UP writes.

 She emphasized that pseudo-referendums will not have any legal significance.

 At the same time, Ukraine will demand further strengthening of international sanctions against the Russian Federation. Defenders, in turn, will continue to do their job.

 "Our Armed Forces will respond to all these 'referendums,'" she said.

 Vereshchuk advises the residents of the occupied territories to ignore the "referendums".

 "Do not give in to intimidation and blackmail. Do not participate in the vote," she added.

 Vereshchuk noted that according to the law on the legal regime of wartime, referendums are prohibited on the territory of Ukraine.

 The organizers of the "referendums" will be punished under Article 111-1, Part 5 of the Criminal Code - this is imprisonment from 5 to 10 years with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for a period of up to 15 years with confiscation of property.

 As for those who will vote in the illegal "referendum", some lawyers believe that such actions may fall under article 110 part 1 of the Criminal Code

 "Encroachment on the territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine" is imprisonment for up to 5 years.

 "So, once again, I strongly advise the residents of TOT: do not take a passport, do not go to "referendums", do not cooperate with the occupiers, as much as possible to leave TOT," Vereshchuk summarized.