Intelligence: Among Candidates In Russia’s State Duma “Election” In Occupied Part Of Donetsk Region — Combatants And Looters

A recent list of candidates for Russia's State Duma election in the illegally occupied portion of the Donetsk region reveals a troubling pattern, according to Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service (FISU). The candidates include combatants, individuals who have looted properties, and veterans of Russia's invasion. UATV English reports that this announcement was made by Ukraine's FISU.

The stated purpose of these candidates is to place former combatants in positions of power, education, and mentorship in the occupied territories. For instance, Oleksandr Hrydenko, a communications platoon commander within the Russian "Wild Division of Donbas" armed group, is proposing to bestow special status upon these combatants, allowing them to mentor and coach the next generation in schools, universities, and youth centers.

Another candidate, Danylo Lytvynenko, has proposed granting vacant properties in the occupied territories to Russian citizens, essentially transferring ownership from the former owners who fled due to the occupation. The FISU notes the disturbing implications of this policy, emphasizing that it merely legitimizes the dispossession of Ukrainian property and its transfer to new Russian owners.

Other candidates on the list include the head of the occupiers' youth structures and a former member of the illegal armed formation Pyatnashka, Serhii Dobrovolskyi; SVO participant and worker of the occupation administration Yevhen Sobolev; United Russia member and SVO participant Ivan Valov; and the secretary of the United Russia branch in the temporarily occupied Donetsk, Volodymyr Bodachevskyi.

The Kremlin's approach to the occupation is becoming increasingly clear: the first step is driving Ukrainians out through war, followed by seizing their properties and finally placing those who fought against Ukraine in key positions of power and authority to raise Ukrainian children. The FISU emphasizes that history has shown the consequences of collaborating with occupiers, citing examples from France during the Nazi occupation where resistance forces executed around 3,500 collaborators and carried out large-scale trials against those who had collaborated with the invaders.

The FISU assures that anyone involved in organizing and conducting Russia's pseudo-elections on Ukrainian soil will face appropriate legal consequences.