Russia is conducting parliamentary elections that include residents of four annexed Ukrainian territories for the first time. The voting process, which runs through Sunday, is being denounced by international bodies and Kyiv officials as a violation of international law.
Putin’s attempt to formalie the "new regions" through the State Duma
Russian President Vladimir Putin is using this election to attempt to cement the Kremlin's political control over territories seized during the full-scale invasion that began over four and a half years ago. In a speech on Wednesday, Putin emphasized that voting for the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, represents a moment of "reunification" for these areas.
The move is part of a broader effort to showcase public support for the ongoing war. According to the report, Putin characterized the vote as a demonstration that millions of people stand behind Russian fighters and are bound by shared historical values. This attempt to manufacture legitimacy comes as the Kremlin seeks to solidify its grip on the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions.
Armed escorts and the 3.5 million voters in occupied territories
The election involves more than 3.5 million voters residing in the territories Moscow refers to as the "new regions." However, the process is being conducted under heavy security that observers describe as coercive. The report notes that at a polling station in the Russian-held portion of the Donetsk region, voters were watched by an armed Russian soldier while dropping their ballots into boxes.
Human rights groupps have reported that the voting process is far from a free choice. Violeta Artemchuk, the coordinator for the Donbas SOS human rights group, stated that local election commissions have been going house-to-house, escorted by security agents and Russian troops, to force participation. this tactic aims to ensure high turnout in areas that have not been fully brought under Moscow's control.
Economic leverage: Using pensions to enforce "loyalty"
Beyond physical intimidation, the Kremlin is reportedly using economic pressure to drive voter turnout . Moscow-appointed authorities are allegedly threatening public sector employees with dismissal if they fail to participate in the electoral process.. The report highlights a more predatory tactic used against the most vulnerable members of the population.
According to Artemchuk, individuals who rely on social assistance, such as pensioners or people with disabilities, face significant risks if they do not vote. these residents may be added to a list of individuals deemed "disloyal" by the occupying authorities, which could result in the deprivation of their pensions, humanitarian assistance, or other essential social payments.
The missing verification of the 3.5 million voter count
While the Kremlin claims a massive mandate,several critical questions regarding the integrity of the vote remain unanswered. It is currently unknown how many of the 3.5 million voters are participating voluntarily versus those acting under the threat of economic or physical reprisal. Furthermore, the report does not clarify how the Kremlin will account for the massive displacement of residents in these conflict zones.
The European Commission, through spokesperson Christian Wigand, has already labeled these "so-called elections" as sham proceedings. As the voting continues amid ongoing shelling and bombing, the legitimacy of the results remains entirely unverified by any independent international body.
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