There have been allegations of intimidation during the 5-day referendum in 4 Russian-occupied Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Analysts say the sham vote will likely escalate tensions because Russian President Vladimir Putin is poised to announce the inevitable ‘yes’ result that paves the way to illegally claim the area. And then he has what he sees as a legitimate excuse to threaten to use nuclear weapons when Russia’s sovereign territory is attacked by Ukraine using conventional weapons. Meanwhile, Russia’s latest mobilisation push continues to inflame tensions at home. And the Kremlin has admitted mistakes were with many men with no military experience asked to report for duty. It’s led some to joke that even new Russian citizen Edward Snowden may not be immune…