Russia is laying the groundwork for the annexation of more Ukrainian territory and is installing illegitimate proxy leaders in areas of the country under its control, the White House said on July 19.
John Kirby, spokesman for the National Security Council (NSC), told a White House news briefing that the Russians plan to organize "sham referenda" in the areas it has seized, possibly as early as September, and are preparing to establish the ruble as the default currency and force residents to apply for citizenship.
Russia is also attempting to take control of broadcasting towers, he said, adding that the assessments were based on U.S. intelligence.
"Russia is beginning to roll out a version of what you could call an annexation playbook very similar to the one we saw in 2014," when it invaded and eventually annexed Crimea, Kirby said.
"Already, Russia is installing illegitimate proxy officials in the areas of Ukraine that are under its control," Kirby said.
The areas targeted for annexation include Kherson, Zaporizhzhya, and all of Donetsk and Luhansk.
"Annexation by force will be a gross violation of the UN Charter and we will not allow it to go unchallenged or unpunished," Kirby said.
A report from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights released last week said that Russia was forcing Ukrainian citizens to accept Russian passports.
The NSC spokesman said he was again highlighting the Russian plans "so the world knows that any purported annexation is premeditated, illegal, and illegitimate."
Kirby said the United States would respond to Russia's actions "swiftly and severely and in lockstep with our allies and partners." The response will include sanctions on Russian-installed "puppets and proxies," he said.
Kirby also said that in the next few days the United States will announce a new weapons package for Ukraine. The aid is expected to include more high-mobility artillery rocket systems (HIMARS). Ukraine has said the HIMARS delivered thus far have been a critical weapon in its fight to repel Russian troops.