Russia holds parliamentary vote in areas it seized from Ukraine in the war

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Russia conducts parliamentary elections in seized Ukrainian territories

   Russia has completed a three-day parliamentary election that included residents of Crimea and four Ukrainian regions Moscow annexed during the war. The Kremlin utilized a ballot featuring numerous veterans and offered prizes for e-voting, while barring opposition parties. The process took place amid ongoing conflict and claims of external interference. While the Kremlin aims to cement its power and test support for the war, Kyiv has denounced the inclusion of annexed regions in the vote. Results are widely expected to maintain Kremlin dominance.

   Why it matters

   These elections mark the first parliamentary vote held during the current wartime period. The inclusion of territories not fully controlled by Russia serves as a political claim of sovereignty over annexed Ukrainian land. This process occurs as the conflict intensifies with ongoing drone and cyber activity.

   What is confirmed

   • Russia held parliamentary elections over a three-day period.
   • The vote included residents of Crimea and four Ukrainian regions annexed by Russia.
   • The Kremlin included a high number of veterans on the election ballot.
   • The election took place during an intensifying war in Ukraine.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Ukraine interfered in the Russian parliamentary election.
   • The Russian election voting system was hit by powerful cyberattacks.

   What to watch next

   • Official announcement of final vote tallies
   • International diplomatic responses to the inclusion of annexed regions
   • Reports on voter turnout in seized Ukrainian territories
   Sources used for this update (19)

   1. CNN — Empty podiums, prizes for e-voting, no opposition: Russians head to the polls amid intensifying war in Ukraine
   2. apnews.com — Russians begin 3 days of voting in a parliamentary election set to cement the Kremlin's power
   3. Reuters — Putin says Ukraine interfering in Russian parliamentary election
   4. AP News — Russian holds parliamentary vote in areas it seized from Ukraine in the war
   5. NBC News — Russia holds parliamentary vote in areas it illegally annexed from Ukraine in the war
   6. The New York Times — The Kremlin Has Put Lots of Veterans on the Ballot. Could It Backfire?
   7. The Independent — Ukraine-Russia war latest: Russia claims election voting system hit by cyber attack after repelling drone strike
   8. Al Jazeera — Russia reports ‘powerful’ cyberattacks on second day of parliamentary vote
   9. The Washington Post — In Russia, the election result is easy to guess. Much else there is uncertain.
   10. theguardian.com — Ukraine war briefing: Kyiv denounces Russia’s inclusion of annexed regions in parliamentary elections
   11. Al Jazeera — Russia’s elections are more than political theatre
   12. Reuters — Russian election, cast as test of support for Ukraine war, enters final day
   confidence 90%