The Kremlin recently held ‘elections’ in the four partially occupied regions of Ukraine – the self-proclaimed ‘Donetsk People’s Republic’ (DPR) and ‘Luhansk People’s Republic’ (LPR), Kherson and Zaporizhzhia – at the same time that voters were taking part in regional elections in Russia, including Moscow.
The results of the polls, which took place mainly on 10 September, were unsurprising. Russia’s ruling party, United Russia, received 75% to 80% of votes to the legislative assemblies of the four regions, with opposition parties, such as liberal pro-Western party Yabloko, gaining a minimal presence. The results of council elections in 79 city and municipal districts are still being counted, but they are unlikely to bring surprises.
The Kremlin claims that residents of the “new regions” – as the occupied territories are called in Russia – have confirmed “their choice” to become part of the Russian state, but Western governments and international organisations have said they will never recognise the results of an illegal vote that violates international norms.
