Vladimir Putin is likely to announce the annexation of occupied regions of Ukraine into Russia within days, the UK's defence ministry says.
The Russian president could make the announcement when he addresses the country's parliament on Friday, according to the ministry.
It comes as Russia stages a final day of voting in discredited referendums in occupied regions of Ukraine.
Ukraine and the West say the result has already been decided by the Kremlin and will be used as an excuse for an illegal land grab.
Meanwhile, two leaks have been found on the Nord Stream 1 pipeline in Swedish and Danish waters, Sweden's maritime authority says.
And the Kremlin has admitted mistakes were made in its drive to mobilise Russian army reservists, amid growing public opposition.
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