The Russian Central Election Commission decided to hold presidential "elections" in March 2024 in the occupied territories of Ukraine, including parts of Donetsk region, Luhansk region, Kherson region, Zaporozhye and Crimea. This decision concerns the “new regions”, which means the temporarily occupied territories where the martial law declared by the Russian occupiers in October 2022 is in force.
The Central Electoral Commission reports that it has held consultations with the Ministry of Defense and the Federal Security Service of Russia, as well as with the occupying "authorities" regarding voting in the occupied parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions.
International experts and politicians have already expressed their indignation and condemnation of this decision. The Ukrainian authorities protested and emphasized that any "elections" in the occupied territories are invalid and a violation of international law.
Note that Russian President Vladimir Putin has already announced his participation in these "elections", entering a fifth term in a number of controversial circumstances. Experts believe that this step can cause additional tensions in the region and cause new waves of international sanctions against Russia.
