According to preliminary information provided to Sputnik by Vladimir Rogov, a member of the main council of the military-civil administration of Zaporozhye, a referendum on the status of the region may be held in the first half of September.

"Everything is heading towards the fact that the referendum will take place in the first half of September. I will not name the exact date yet. Electoral commissions are formed," Rogov said.

The official also said that referendums on the union of the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions with Russia might be held on the same day.

Rogov previously requested on Sunday the permanent deployment of Russian troops in the region as to ensure its security against attempts of external aggression. 

"We want our region to have [Russian] military bases on a permanent basis," Rogov said. 

He told Sputnik that a detailed discussion on the issue could be held after a referendum on joining Russia is held in Zaporozhye.

It is noteworthy that the head of the administration of the Zaporozhye Region, Yevgeny Balitsky, signed a decree on Saturday announcing the start of preparations for a referendum on joining Russia and the creation of an election commission. 

Kherson and most of Zaporozhye are under control by Russian forces, particularly after Donetsk and Lugansk's respective governments requested help from Russia as they were under intensive offensives by Ukrainian troops.