In a significant and controversial development, Russia’s parliamentary elections have included residents from regions that Moscow annexed from Ukraine following its full-scale invasion over four years ago. This move is seen as part of the Kremlin’s efforts to solidify its territorial gains amid ongoing conflict.
Ukrainian officials have strongly condemned the elections, labeling them illegal. Human rights activists have described the situation as one where residents are being coerced into participating in the voting process under duress.
The voting commenced across Russia on Friday and will continue through Sunday, strategically designed to enhance turnout. However, balloting in the annexed Ukrainian territories and some border areas began earlier, at the end of the previous month, a decision officials attributed to security concerns.
According to Russian authorities, the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions—collectively referred to as the “new regions”—are home to over 3.5 million voters. These territories were claimed by Russia in September 2022, despite not being fully under its control, and this annexation has faced widespread international non-recognition.
At polling stations in the Russian-occupied Donetsk region, reports indicate that voters cast their ballots while being observed by armed Russian soldiers, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the voting process.
In a speech on Wednesday, President Vladimir Putin highlighted the significance of the elections in these regions, framing them as a milestone since their “reunification” with Russia. He noted that even Russian soldiers involved in the ongoing conflict would have the opportunity to vote.
Voting is also occurring in Crimea, which was annexed by Moscow in 2014. This election marks the first wartime election for the State Duma, with the Kremlin aiming to reinforce its political dominance and demonstrate public support for its actions in Ukraine.
Putin asserted, “Your choice and resolve will once again demonstrate that millions of people stand behind our fighters, that we are a united people, bound by shared values, historical memory, and love for the Motherland.” He emphasized that external forces could not undermine Russia’s statehood or political system.
In response, Ukrainian authorities have urged governments and international organizations to reject the legitimacy of these elections. They have warned that involvement in organizing the vote could result in criminal charges for Ukrainians.
A coalition of nine Ukrainian human rights organizations has called upon residents in the Russian-occupied territories to refrain from participating in the voting process. Their statement highlighted concerns about safety and the manipulative nature of the elections, which they argue aim to legitimize Russian occupation.
European Commission spokesperson Christian Wigand characterized the elections in these regions as a “blatant violation of international law,” reiterating that the European Union does not recognize either the elections or their results.
Activists have reported instances of coercion, with local election officials visiting homes accompanied by armed troops, compelling individuals to vote. Violeta Artemchuk from the Donbas SOS human rights group noted that public sector workers were threatened with job loss if they did not participate, and social benefits were linked to voting.
“If a person with a disability or a pensioner relies on social assistance and does not take part in the ‘voting,’ they could be added to a list of individuals deemed ‘disloyal’ and subsequently deprived of their benefits,” Artemchuk explained.
Political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko remarked that “elections held at gunpoint are a farce,” emphasizing that the ongoing violence in the region only underscores the Kremlin’s disregard for the democratic process.
“The very fact that voting takes place amid endless shelling and bombing reflects the Kremlin’s attitude toward the people and the electoral process in the occupied territories,” Fesenko stated. He concluded that any electoral procedures conducted by Russian authorities in these areas cannot be associated with genuine democracy.
