Russia includes disputed Ukrainian territories in parliamentary elections

Russia's three-day parliamentary election, which began Friday, represents a significant expansion of its electoral process to include approximately 3.5 million voters in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions—territories Moscow claims as its own following their contested annexation in September 2022.

The Kremlin views the inclusion of these regions in federal elections as a consolidation of its territorial claims. However, Ukrainian officials have firmly rejected the legitimacy of the vote, characterizing it as an illegal attempt to legitimize what they regard as unlawful occupation. Human rights observers have also raised concerns, noting that residents in these areas face coercion to participate in the electoral process.

Russian authorities extended the voting period in the annexed territories and border regions, with balloting beginning in late September—weeks before the main election period that runs through Sunday across Russia proper. Officials attributed the extended timeline to security considerations, though the staggered schedule has drawn international scrutiny.

The move underscores Moscow's ongoing efforts to integrate the disputed regions administratively and politically, despite these territories remaining only partially under its military control. The election outcome in these areas is expected to reflect Kremlin preferences, given the security situation and reported constraints on free participation.