Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday promulgated a law on the annexation of four regions of Ukraine, partially controlled by Russian troops, writes Reuters with reference to the state news agency TASS.

Together with the four leaders placed by Russia in the annexed regionsPhoto: Mykhailo Metzel / AFP / Profimedia

The annexation concerns the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, which make up about 18% of the internationally recognized territory of Ukraine.

Putin signed the annexation decrees after holding what he called referendums in the occupied territories of Ukraine, which challenged the entire international community.