Russia Plans Illegal State Duma Elections in Occupied Ukrainian Territories — CCD
Russia plans to hold illegal elections to the State Duma in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, with the Kremlin seeking to use the vote to create a false appearance of legitimacy for its occupation, according to Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) , UATV English reports. CCD head Andrii Kovalenko said the Kremlin intends to ensure voter turnout of more than 65–70%…
Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) has reported that Russia intends to conduct unlawful elections to the State Duma within the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories. Kremlin aims to use these elections to create an illusion of legitimacy for its occupation, according to CCD head Andrii Kovalenko. CCD anticipates voter turnout of over 65-70% in these occupied regions and a minimum of 70% of the votes for United Russia.
These outcomes are purportedly meant to bolster Russia's justification for the annexation of Ukrainian lands. The move comes in the context of widespread pro-war rhetoric across Russia, with all significant political parties backing the continuation of the conflict against Ukraine. However, Kovalenko also mentioned that the number of individuals in Russia who oppose the ongoing war is gradually growing, prompting the Kremlin to tighten its social control.
Estonian intelligence has previously indicated that Russia is intensifying its control over its populace, driven by mounting worries about potential protests due to the escalating economic and social repercussions of the war in Russia. The electoral exercise in the occupied Ukrainian regions is not acknowledged as valid by Ukraine or the global community, as Russia lacks any legal standing to organize elections in these areas.
Written by urgent.news from UATV English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
