Russia vetoes UN resolution condemning referendums to annex Ukraine's territories

10 remaining Security Council members voted in favor of resolution, while China, India, Brazil and Gabon abstained from vote

Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier on Friday announced the annexation of the four Ukrainian regions - Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson in violation of international law.

The referendums have been widely condemned by the international community, with European nations and the US saying that they will not be recognized.

"Any decision to proceed with the annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions of Ukraine would have no legal value and deserves to be condemned," Antonio Guterres said on Thursday.