Russia Holds Parliamentary Vote In Ukrainian Regions Moscow Annexed During War

Russia’s parliamentary election is being held for the first time in Ukrainian territories that Moscow claims to have annexed since launching its full-scale invasion, as the Kremlin seeks to incorporate those areas into its political system.h

The three-day State Duma election began across Russia on Friday and runs through Sunday. Voting had already started in parts of the Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories and some Russian border areas, with authorities citing security concerns for the extended voting period.

Russia claims more than 3.5 million voters live in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, which Moscow declared annexed in September 2022 despite not having full control over them. The annexations are not internationally recognized.

At some polling stations in Russian-held areas, armed personnel were present during voting. The Institute for the Study of War said Russian occupation authorities had taken measures including the presence of armed soldiers at voting locations and expanded home voting.

Putin Highlights Voting In Annexed Regions

Russian President Vladimir Putin has emphasized the participation of residents in the four regions, describing it as their first election to the State Duma since what Moscow calls their “reunification with Russia.”

The election is the first parliamentary vote in Russia since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. Putin has presented the election as a demonstration of national support amid the continuing war.

Voting is also taking place in Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. Ukraine and most of the international community reject Russia’s claims over the occupied territories.

Ukraine Rejects Russian Voting

Kyiv has condemned the elections in the occupied territories as illegal and urged foreign governments and international organisations not to recognize the results. Ukrainian officials have also warned citizens involved in organizing the Russian vote that they could face legal consequences under Ukrainian law.

Ukrainian human rights groups have urged residents of the occupied territories to avoid participating, arguing that Russia is using the electoral process to reinforce its claims over Ukrainian territory.

Activists Allege Pressure On Residents

Human rights activists have alleged that Russian-installed authorities are pressuring residents to participate. Reports cited by AP describe election officials visiting homes accompanied by armed personnel, while activists allege that public-sector workers and recipients of social assistance have faced pressure to vote.

The Institute for the Study of War has similarly reported measures by occupation authorities that it says were designed to control participation and voting in the occupied territories.

Election Held Amid Tight Political Controls

The State Duma election is taking place in a political environment in which anti-war opposition has faced significant restrictions. Russia’s Supreme Court removed the Yabloko party from the party-list portion of the election in August, although some of its candidates continue to contest individual constituencies.

Russia’s governing United Russia party, which has dominated the State Duma, is expected to retain its leading position. The election includes 450 Duma seats, with half allocated through party lists and the other half through single-member constituencies.

The vote concludes Sunday, with initial results expected later that day and near-complete results expected Monday.