# Russian elections in occupied Ukrainian territories

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/russian-elections-in-occupied-ukrainian-territories
> Updated: 2026-09-07T15:05:03.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 3.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that the upcoming autumn parliamentary elections, scheduled for September 18–20, will include residents of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions. Putin stated the State Duma elections will involve selecting 225 deputies through single-member constituencies and 225 through party lists, alongside thousands of local and regional elections.

In response, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry declared that these elections in occupied territories are illegal. The ministry asserted that any vote organized by Russia on sovereign Ukrainian territory is “null and void and have no legal consequences.” Ukraine expressed concern that Russia may use international observers from ex-Soviet states to “legitimise the outcome” of the vote in territories annexed following previously denounced referendums.

As the elections approach, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has denounced the process as a “farce,” accusing the Russian regime of systematically dismantling democracy and suppressing freedom of expression. Sybiha also noted that independent observers from the OSCE have been excluded from the process. 

The elections will determine the 450 seats in the State Duma. The ruling party, United Russia, currently holds 315 seats and aims to maintain a constitutional majority. While the Kremlin has set targets for support in various regions, the political landscape remains constrained; the Yabloko party, which advocates for peace and negotiations, has been excluded from the process.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-07: Russia to hold legislative elections including annexed Ukrainian regions

Russia will hold legislative elections from September 18-20, including annexed Ukrainian territories. Ukraine has denounced the vote as a “farce” and a violation of international law.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russia-to-hold-legislative-elections-including-annexed-ukrainian-regions

### 2026-08-22: Putin announces Russian elections to include annexed Ukrainian territories

Vladimir Putin announced that Russia will hold parliamentary elections in September, including in annexed Ukrainian territories, while claiming continued military advances in Ukraine.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/putin-announces-russian-elections-to-include-annexed-ukrainian-territories

### 2026-08-13: Ukraine declares Russian elections in occupied territories illegal

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has declared upcoming Russian parliamentary elections in occupied territories illegal and their results null and void.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ukraine-declares-russian-elections-in-occupied-territories-illegal

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Cite as: Russian elections in occupied Ukrainian territories. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/russian-elections-in-occupied-ukrainian-territories