The United States will respond quickly by imposing sanctions against Russia if the latter proceeds with the plan to hold referendums in Ukraine, a senior Biden administration official said during a virtual press briefing on Friday. 
 
“If Russia actually proceeds with these plans, we will respond swiftly and severely with additional sanctions,” the official said. 

On Thursday, the head of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), Denis Pushilin, said the date of the referendum on the DPR becoming part of Russia will be declared after its full liberation. The head of the mostly Russia-controlled Zaporozhye Region, Yevhen Balytskyi, signed a decree on Monday about holding a referendum to join Russia, a Sputnik correspondent reported. 

Read: Zaporozhye region head signs decree on referendum to join Russia
 
The official noted that the US has started to impose economic sanctions on some of the officials in Ukrainian territories under Russia’s control. 
 
“We will continue to expose Russia’s plans to ensure that any such attempt is seen as illegitimate and illegal,” the official said referring to the planned referendums. 

Zaporozhye Military and Civil Administration chief Yevgeny Palitsky said more than 60% of the region's population see themselves as independent from Ukraine and an entity that will be part of Russia in the future.

"Despite the lies emanating from the Ukrainian and foreign channels, we see the truth, we talk to the people, and we know the path on which we want to embark," Palitsky added.

In the meantime, the US will continue providing Ukraine with additional military supplies, the official added. 

Read: Kherson to hold referendum to join the Russian Federation
 
It is worth noting that the Russian military has already seized control of the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions. Local military-civilian administrations have been established, Russian TV channels and radio stations have already begun broadcasting, and trade ties with Crimea have been restored.