SIMFEROPOL, May 11. /TASS/. The Kherson region’s authorities will prepare a legal framework for joining Russia by the end of the year, deputy head of the region’s military-civilian administration Kirill Stremousov said at a press conference on Wednesday.

"A Russian region’s legal framework will be prepared by the end of the year. At this point, the Kherson region operates based on decisions made by the military-civilian administration and a decision about our future existence will be made by the end of the year," he noted.

On February 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the recognition of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics. On February 24, Putin announced a special military operation based on a request from the heads of the Donbass republics. Some territories, including the Kherson region, are already under Russia’s control. On May 9, the region celebrated Victory Day properly for the first time in eight years.