Preparations for Russia's State Duma Elections
Russia has initiated preparations to hold its State Duma elections, scheduled for September 2026, within the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. Vladimir Putin has issued instructions to ensure secure conditions for this voting, with a specific focus on safeguarding the process in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions. This move follows Russia's illegal annexation of these areas in 2022, which is not recognized by the vast majority of UN member states.
The ruling 'United Russia' party has announced the formation of organizational committees to conduct primary elections in these occupied territories. Putin has also emphasized the need to ensure the sovereignty of the electoral process, a statement widely seen as reinforcing his control ahead of the national parliamentary vote.
Legitimacy of Elections in Occupied Areas
Simultaneously, experts point out that any elections organized by an occupying power on seized territory are illegitimate under international law. Neither Ukraine nor the international community will recognize the results of such votes, and any individuals elected through them will lack a lawful mandate. As noted by the Center for Human Rights, the objective of these steps is to legitimize the occupation by simulating a democratic process.
Consequently, the preparations for Russia's State Duma elections in occupied Ukrainian territories raise serious concerns not only regarding their legality but also for regional security and stability. The continuation of a policy to hold votes under occupation could lead to a further escalation of the conflict and negatively impact Russia's relations with the international community, which rejects the legitimacy of such actions. This may also heighten tensions within Ukraine, where the issue of territorial integrity remains a cornerstone of both domestic and foreign policy.