Russia holds parliamentary vote in areas it seized from Ukraine in the war
Russia is conducting parliamentary elections in regions of Ukraine it has illegally annexed, a move condemned by Kyiv and international observers. The Kremlin is using the vote to solidify its political control and demonstrate domestic support for the ongoing war.
Why it matters
The election highlights the ongoing geopolitical conflict and Russia's attempt to legitimize its territorial claims through state-controlled political processes.
Russia's parliamentary election for the first time includes residents of regions that Moscow illegally annexed from Ukraine after the start of its full-scale invasion more than 4 1/2 years ago, part of Kremlin efforts to cement its gains.
Officials in Kyiv vigorously denounced the action as illegal, and a human rights activist described residents there as being coerced to participate in the election.
While the vote across Russia started Friday and lasts until Sunday to help boost turnout, balloting actually has been underway in the annexed parts of Ukraine and some areas on the Russian side of the border since the end of last month. Officials cited security reasons for the extended period.
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