Ukraine has vehemently condemned Russia's decision to include residents of its illegally annexed regions in parliamentary elections for the first time, calling the move unlawful. Kyiv officials and human rights activists allege coercion in the poll, which aims to solidify Russia's territorial gains. The voting, which officially runs from Friday to Sunday, has been ongoing in these disputed areas since late last month due to security concerns, involving over 3.5 million voters in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia – territories annexed by Russia in September 2022 in a move not internationally recognized.
Ukraine has denounced Moscow for having Russia’s parliamentary elections for the first time include residents of regions it illegally annexed from Ukraine during the war. Kyiv officials called the action illegal and a human rights activist described residents there as being coerced to participate in the poll, which is part of Kremlin efforts to cement its gains in Ukraine. The vote across Russia started on Friday and lasts until Sunday but balloting has in fact been under way in the annexed parts of Ukraine and some areas on the Russian side of the border since the end of last month, with Russian officials citing security reasons for the extended period. Russian authorities say the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia territories – annexed by Russia in September 2022 in a move not recognised internationally – have more than 3.5 million voters.
