Russia plans State Duma elections in occupied Ukrainian territories

Russia is preparing to hold State Duma elections in September across occupied territories in Ukraine. According to Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Disinformation Counteraction Center at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, the Kremlin has established specific targets for the voting process.

Kovalenko reports that occupying authorities are expected to aim for a voter turnout exceeding 65-70 percent, with Vladimir Putin’s party, United Russia, receiving at least 70 percent of the vote. Ukrainian officials view these planned results as a tool for the pseudo-legalization of the occupation and a propaganda effort to suggest that the seized lands have accepted Moscow’s rule.

The election campaign is expected to promote support for the ongoing war. Reports suggest that the anti-war party, Yabloko, may be excluded from participating to prevent it from gaining votes from those weary of the conflict.