ZEL: WE'LL FIGHT VLAD LAND GRAB

Violence & nuke fear

- CHRIS HUGHES

FEARS of an escalation in violence in Ukraine grew last night as Kyiv vowed a "harsh response" to the illegal annexing of four regions.

President Volodymyr Zelensky issued the warning as he slammed referendums, held at gunpoint by Russian troops, as "worthless".

It came as Ukrainian intelligence graded the threat of Moscow launching tactical nuclear weapons as "very high".

The move followed sham votes in Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk, and Luhansk, which will be claimed by Vladimir Putin in a ceremony today.

A statement by Zelensky's office said: "The territorial integrity of Ukraine will be restored. And our reaction to recognition of the results by Russia will be very harsh."