Ukraine Rejects Legitimacy of Russia’s September 2026 Elections Held in Occupied Regions

Ukraine’s Stance on Russian Elections Conducted in Occupied Areas

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: Ukraine firmly refuses to acknowledge the organization or outcomes of the Russian State Duma elections that took place from September 18 to 20, 2026, within the Ukrainian territories temporarily occupied by Russia. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) emphasized the illegal nature of these elections and urged the international community to neither recognize the results nor legitimize the voting process carried out on these occupied lands.

The regions currently under temporary occupation include:

• Autonomous Republic of Crimea,
• the city of Sevastopol,
• portions of Donetsk,
• Luhansk,
• Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts.

The MFA stressed that no electoral process held under occupation can alter the internationally recognized status of these territories. In its appeal to global partners, Ukraine also warned that Russia intends to use the election results to justify further aggressive actions.

According to pro-government exit polls, the Russian ruling party, United Russia, secured approximately half of the votes. Nevertheless, Ukraine maintains that conducting elections in the occupied regions violates both national legislation and international law, rendering the results invalid.

“We reiterate our position: this charade has nothing to do with genuine democratic elections or the true will of the people. Holding polls in temporarily occupied territories is unlawful, and their outcomes are void. This breaches Ukrainian national law and international legal standards, stripping legitimacy from the entire parliamentary election process in Russia and the composition of the Russian parliament,”

the Ukrainian MFA stated.

In summary, Ukraine’s position remains unwavering: elections carried out under occupation cannot be deemed legitimate, and their results hold no legal authority. The MFA calls on all international partners to uphold this view and condemn Russia’s actions.

Global Response and Implications

This development highlights the ongoing tensions and conflict between Ukraine and Russia, particularly regarding international law and human rights. Holding elections in these occupied zones not only violates Ukrainian sovereignty but also risks serious ramifications for international relations and regional security. The international community’s reaction to these events will play a crucial role in shaping the future dynamics in Ukraine and the occupied territories.

In light of Ukraine's firm stance against the recent elections, it is crucial to understand the broader implications of these actions. The Ukrainian government has called on the international community to take a united stand against the legitimacy of the elections held in occupied territories. For further insights into Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts and the global response to Russia’s actions, read more about Ukraine's appeal to the world to reject the elections.