Russia's parliamentary election has for the first time included regions that Moscow illegally annexed from Ukraine following the onset of its full-scale invasion over four and a half years ago. This move is part of the Kremlin's strategy to solidify its territorial gains.
Ukrainian officials have vehemently condemned this action as unlawful, while a human rights activist stated that residents of these annexed regions are being pressured into participating in the election. While voting across Russia commenced on Friday and continues through Sunday to encourage higher turnout, balloting has already been taking place in the annexed Ukrainian areas and some adjacent Russian territories since the end of the previous month, with authorities citing security concerns for this extended voting period.
Russian officials claim that the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions—referred to as the "new regions" by Moscow—contain over 3.5 million eligible voters. These territories were annexed by Russia in September 2022, despite not being fully controlled by Moscow. This annexation is not recognized internationally.
At a polling station in the Russian-controlled portion of the Donetsk region, a notable image emerged: voters cast their ballots while an armed Russian soldier stood watch nearby. Russian President Vladimir Putin has underscored the significance of voting in these areas, stating that residents would be participating for the first time in a legislative election since their "reunification" with Russia.
In his recent speech, Putin emphasized that not only civilians but also soldiers engaged in the ongoing conflict would have the opportunity to vote. Voting is also taking place in Crimea, a region that was illegally annexed by Moscow in 2014. The State Duma elections, held during wartime, aim to reinforce the Kremlin's political clout while showcasing purported public support for the military operations.
Ukrainian authorities have appealed to the international community to disregard the voting occurring in the annexed regions, branding it illegal. They warned Ukrainians involved in organizing the election that they could face criminal consequences. A coalition of nine Ukrainian human rights organizations urged residents in the occupied territories to stay away from polling places, stating that the election serves as an attempt to legitimize Russia's occupation and annexation efforts.
European Commission spokesperson Christian Wigand denounced the voting in Russian-controlled areas as another blatant infringement of international law, declaring that the European Union does not recognize these "so-called elections" or their outcomes.
Human rights activist Violeta Artemchuk, from the Donbas SOS group, reported that local election commissions are actively coercing residents into voting. She indicated that members of these commissions are going door-to-door, accompanied by Russian troops and security personnel, to compel participation. Artemchuk added that Moscow-appointed authorities are exerting pressure on residents, threatening public sector employees with job loss should they fail to vote and making social services contingent upon electoral participation.
For example, she noted that individuals relying on social assistance might be classified as "disloyal" if they do not participate in the elections, potentially jeopardizing their benefits and humanitarian aid. Political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko remarked that elections held under duress are nothing more than a facade, highlighting that the process occurring amidst ongoing military conflict captures the Kremlin's disregard for both the populace and democratic norms in the occupied territories. Fesenko dismissed any electoral procedures orchestrated by the Russian occupying forces as lacking any genuine democratic legitimacy.
