Ukraine Says Russian Elections in Occupied Territories Are Illegal

Ukraine has rejected Russia's planned parliamentary elections in territories it occupies, declaring that any results from voting held on Ukrainian soil would have no legal validity.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that Russian parliamentary elections scheduled for next month in occupied parts of Ukraine were unlawful and that their outcomes would not be recognised by Kyiv.

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and later declared the annexation of four Ukrainian regions. Moscow has never established complete control over those territories. The annexations followed referendums that Ukraine and Western governments condemned as illegitimate.

The Ukrainian statement came as an observer mission from several former Soviet republics began monitoring Russia's electoral preparations. The observers are expected to assess whether the election procedures comply with international standards for free and fair voting.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said the participation of foreign observers would not change its position on the legality of the elections.

It accused Moscow of attempting to use the presence of international observers in occupied Ukrainian territories to give greater legitimacy to the election process and its eventual results.

"Any vote organised by Russia on the sovereign territory of Ukraine is illegal," the ministry said, adding that any resulting decisions would have no legal consequences.

Russia's ruling United Russia party, which is backed by President Vladimir Putin, is widely expected to maintain its dominance of parliament following the September election. Other parties broadly supportive of the Kremlin are also expected to retain significant representation.

The election is taking place amid continued restrictions on political opposition inside Russia. Yabloko, the country's only registered political party to openly oppose the war in Ukraine, was excluded from participating in the parliamentary election this week.

Its leader said on Thursday that he intended to remain in Russia and continue campaigning for political change despite mounting pressure from the authorities.

Ukraine's rejection of the elections adds another point of tension between Kyiv and Moscow, with the legitimacy of Russia's claims over occupied Ukrainian territory remaining at the centre of the wider conflict.