Russia holds State Duma vote in occupied Ukrainian territories for first time
Russia conducted parliamentary elections for the first time on Ukrainian territories it claims to have annexed since the start of the full-scale invasion, with voting taking place in occupied parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts as well as in occupied Crimea. Ukrainian authorities and the EU rejected the vote as illegitimate, and Ukrainian human rights groups reported armed presence at polling stations and pressure on residents.
Key points
- Voting took place in occupied parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, and in occupied Crimea.
- These are the first Russian parliamentary elections held during the full-scale war.
- Russian authorities say over 3.5 million voters are registered on the four occupied oblasts; Russia annexed them in September 2022, though it does not fully control them.
- Voting on occupied territories and in some Russian border districts began at the end of August; nationwide voting runs from Friday to Sunday.
- Ukrainian authorities called the vote illegal and warned that participation in organizing it could lead to criminal liability.
- Ukrainian human rights groups and the 'Donbas SOS' coordinator Violetta Artemchuk reported armed Russian soldiers at polling stations and door-to-door ballot collection accompanied by military personnel.
- Reports describe pressure on budget-sector employees and threats to withhold social payments from pensioners and people with disabilities who refuse to vote.
- The EU said it does not recognize the vote; European Commission spokesperson Christian Wigand called it a gross violation of international law.
Why it matters
By holding State Duma elections on occupied Ukrainian territory, Moscow is extending its domestic electoral process onto land of another country it invaded, in defiance of international law and Ukraine's sovereignty. Ukraine, the EU, and Ukrainian human rights groups characterize the vote as illegitimate and describe coercion of voters under armed and administrative pressure, while for Moscow the elections carry political symbolism as the first Russian parliamentary vote held during the full-scale war.
What happened
Russia held parliamentary elections on occupied parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, as well as in occupied Crimea — the first Russian parliamentary elections held on Ukrainian territories it claims to have annexed since the start of the full-scale invasion, and the first Russian parliamentary vote held during the full-scale war. Voting on occupied territories and in some Russian border districts began at the end of August; nationwide voting runs from Friday to Sunday. Russian authorities say more than 3.5 million voters are registered in the four occupied oblasts. Vladimir Putin said residents of the territories would vote for State Duma deputies for the first time following what Moscow calls their 'reunification with Russia,' and noted that Russian soldiers fighting against Ukraine would also take part. Ukrainian authorities called the vote illegal and warned that participation in organizing it could result in criminal liability. The EU said it does not recognize the vote. A coalition of nine Ukrainian human rights organizations urged residents to stay away from polling stations and prioritize their safety. 'Donbas SOS' coordinator Violetta Artemchuk reported that members of local election commissions went door-to-door accompanied by Russian military and security forces, and that residents were being forced to participate. Moscow-appointed local authorities pressured budget-sector employees with threats of dismissal, and pensioners and people with disabilities who refused to vote risked being placed on 'disloyal' lists and losing social payments or humanitarian aid. On at least one polling station in the occupied part of Donetsk oblast, voters cast ballots in the presence of an armed Russian soldier observing the process.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian sources frame the vote as a Russian administrative and military imposition on occupied territory rather than a genuine electoral process. Coverage foregrounds on-the-ground conditions: armed Russian soldiers at polling stations, Moscow-appointed officials accompanying door-to-door ballot collection, pressure on budget-sector employees, and threats to withhold social payments from pensioners and people with disabilities who refuse to vote. Ukrainian authorities have called the vote illegal and warned that participation in organizing it may carry criminal liability, while a coalition of nine Ukrainian human rights organizations has urged residents to avoid polling stations and prioritize their personal safety.
How international sources describe it
International coverage, including Washington Post-sourced reporting and EU statements, emphasizes non-recognition of the vote and of its results and characterizes the process as a violation of international law. EU officials, notably European Commission spokesperson Christian Wigand, are quoted directly dismissing the vote and reaffirming the EU's refusal to recognize it regardless of outcome. International reporting also highlights the political symbolism for Moscow of holding parliamentary elections in newly claimed territories during the full-scale war.
Background
Russia declared the annexation of parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts in September 2022, although it does not fully control them; the annexation has not received international recognition. Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, and voting in occupied Crimea is also part of these State Duma elections. Russian authorities cite security considerations to justify the multi-day voting period on occupied territories and in some border districts of Russia, where procedures began at the end of August.