Russian authorities have been widely criticized for holding local elections in occupied regions of Ukraine, a move intended to strengthen their control over territories seized in a contentious annexation one year ago.
The polls, which began last week and will conclude on Sunday, have been denounced vehemently by Ukraine and the West, further widening the gap between Russia and the international community.
Controversial Russian-Backed Elections in Occupied Ukraine Region
The Council of Europe, Europe's foremost human rights organization, condemned Russia's actions as a "flagrant violation of international law."
The Ukrainian parliament reiterated these sentiments, labeling the elections in areas where Russian hostilities are active as a direct threat to Ukrainian lives and "fake elections." Officials from Ukraine urge other nations to reject the results of the referendum.
During a heated session at the United Nations Security Council in New York, UN Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca argued that the elections have no legal grounds. At the same time, US Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood derided them as nothing more than a propaganda stunt.
Per ABC News, British Ambassador Barbara Woodward and Ukraine's UN ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya joined the chorus of criticism, with Kyslytsya characterizing the vote as an outright election farce.
Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, remained steadfast in defending Moscow's annexation of the four regions and argued that the people were actively and consciously voting for their future together with Russia.
The international community continues to be skeptical of Russia's intentions, however. For Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine 18 months ago, these elections project a semblance of normalcy and authority over the annexed regions.
Abbas Gallyamov, a political analyst, explained that Russian authorities are eager to maintain the illusion that their plan is proceeding efficiently, even though they do not have complete control over these territories.
The elections aim to choose regional legislatures, which will then select regional administrators. Thousands of candidates vie for local council seats in the provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk, as per PBS.
Remarkably, the elections in the occupied regions coincide with other Russian local elections. Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, is also holding elections for federal and local legislators. Last week, early voting began in the regions annexed last year, with election officials going door-to-door and setting up makeshift polling stations in public locations to attract voters.
United Russia, the Putin-aligned party that dominates Russian politics, is the dominant candidate in these elections. However, the Communist Party and the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party also appear on the ballots.
Residents of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, controlled by separatists supported by Russia since 2014, appear to have conflicting opinions. Some residents of the occupied city of Luhansk, such as Sergei, have a strong affinity for Russia and view these elections as validation of their connection.
Skepticism in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia Over Russian-Backed Elections
However, the situation in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia is notably different. Residents and Ukrainian activists report that poll workers accompanied by armed soldiers are making house visits, and that most voters need more knowledge of the candidates, many of whom are said to have traveled from remote regions of Russia.
In Kherson and Zaporizhia, skepticism is the predominant attitude. Konstantin, a resident of the Russian-controlled portion of Kherson, stated that "locals realize that these elections have no effect" and view them as "held for Russian propaganda purposes."
Moscow held referendums in these occupied regions in 2022 to legitimize the annexation, but Ukraine and the West criticized them as fraudulent and illegal. Subsequently, Russian troops withdrew from the city of Kherson and its environs, restoring Ukrainian authority over the area.
During their summer counteroffensive, Ukraine's forces have slowly but steadily regained more territory, while three other regions remain only partially occupied. In the Zaporizhzhia region, where counteroffensive efforts are concentrated, administrators appointed by Moscow declared an election day holiday.
The Russian-appointed governor of the annexed province, Yevgeny Balitsky, acknowledged the difficulties posed by regular bombardment, but expressed optimism that the United Russia party would achieve a positive outcome.
Ivan Fedorov, the Ukrainian mayor of Melitopol, a Russian-held city in Zaporizhia, asserted that armed individuals effectively force residents to vote. He emphasized that the population, which has already been drastically reduced due to the conflict, now resides under enhanced security measures.
According to Fedorov, authorities have been halting individuals on the street to examine their identification documents and detaining those they deem suspicious. He concluded, "People are terrified and intimidated because everyone knows that voting in an occupied city is equivalent to voting in prison."
According to reports, Russian authorities aim for up to 80% early voting participation, with poll workers conducting door-to-door campaigns in markets and public spaces.
Individuals with both Russian and Ukrainian citizenship are authorized to vote, and those who refuse to participate are detained for several hours.
Pavlo Lysianskyi, coordinator of the Eastern Human Rights Group, a Ukrainian rights organization monitoring the election in occupied territories, disclosed that at least 104 cases of Ukrainians refusing to vote resulted in detention. They are compelled to write explanatory statements, which could result in criminal proceedings.
As the contentious elections progress, international criticism and concerns over the legitimacy of the process continue to grow, deepening the rifts between Russia and the international community and casting a shadow over the future of these contested regions.