{
  "id": 7388150,
  "title": "SBU Urges Residents of Occupied Ukrainian Territories Not to Participate in Russia’s September Elections",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/sbu-urges-residents-of-occupied-ukrainian-territories-not-to",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-14T19:34:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Kyiv Post",
    "slug": "kyiv-post",
    "url": "https://www.kyivpost.com/post/84511"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has warned Ukrainian residents in occupied territories not to engage in Russia's upcoming State Duma elections scheduled for September 18-20. Moscow may exploit the vote to legitimize its control over Ukrainian territory, the SBU stated on September 14. Russian occupation authorities are reportedly setting up another \"fake plebiscite,\" according to the agency. The SBU emphasized that participating in or promoting Russian elections could result in criminal liability under Ukrainian law. Article 111-1 of the Criminal Code criminalizes organizing, conducting, or promoting illegal elections and referendums in occupied territories, with penalties up to 10 years in prison and property seizure. The agency cited previous sham referendums in September 2022 in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions, noting that Russian occupation administrations had used similar tactics, such as forming election commissions and organizing events to urge participation. These \"pseudo-elections\" led to annexations of the territories by Russia, which Ukraine and its allies deemed illegal and invalid. In 2023, similar \"pseudo-elections\" for regional bodies in occupied territories took place, with occupation officials enlisting locals in election commissions to push Kremlin's agenda. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha criticized the scheduled elections, labeling it a farce that lacks genuine choice due to Kremlin's suppression of democracy. Sybiha also highlighted the lack of independent OSCE observers and absence of genuine opposition, citing Yabloko party's expulsion from the elections. Russia's attempt to hold the vote in Crimea and other occupied areas of Ukraine also violates international law.",
  "summary": "The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has urged residents of occupied territories not to take part in Russia’s planned Sept. 18-20 State Duma elections, calling it illegal. Organizing or promoting the process may carry criminal liability, as the vote may try to legitimize Russia’s occupation.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}