Violetta Artemchuk
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Russia holds first State Duma vote on occupied Ukrainian territories, drawing Kyiv and EU rejection
Russia held State Duma elections for the first time on occupied parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, as well as in annexed Crimea. Ukraine called the vote illegal and warned of criminal liability for anyone organizing it, while the European Union said it would not recognise the results. Human rights groups and journalists documented coercion of local residents, including armed Russian soldiers at polling stations, door-to-door visits by election commissions accompanied by military personnel, and threats to withhold pensions and humanitarian aid.