English: On Tuesday 20 September 2022, Representatives of the public of the Zaporozhye region gathered in Melitopol. They made an appeal to the Civil-Military Administration. Self-titled by The National Congress of Citizens of the Zaporizhia Region, The delegates of the congress demanded an immediate referendum on the reunification of the region with Russia, noting that this would forever restore peace in the Zaporozhye region and give impetus to the development of their native land, as well as stop the aggression on the part of Ukraine against civilians and the destruction of the infrastructure of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The delegates of the National Congress noted the historical significance of the Referendum on reunification with Russia and called on the residents of the region to take part in it.

Delegates from all districts and settlements of the liberated territories took part in the work of the Public Congress of Citizens of the Zaporozhye Region. This event was the initial driving force and prelude for Balitsky to initiate a referendum hours later on the same day.