Russian presidential administration officials have set a target to secure 65 to 70 percent voter turnout in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories during upcoming legislative elections, according to Andrii Kovalenko, head of the Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation, citing the Kyiv Post. Moscow also demands at least 70 percent support for the ruling United Russia party in those regions.
Election Plans in Occupied Ukrainian Regions
Russia plans to hold State Duma elections from September 18 to 20, including voting across parts of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions of Ukraine. Moscow occupies these areas and incorporated them into the Russian Federation following referendums that Kyiv rejects as illegal.
Kyiv maintains that any voting organized on these territories violates international law. According to Kovalenko, the Kremlin intends to use the balloting to manufacture an appearance of public support for the Russian occupation and attempted annexation. “Volby na dočasně okupovaných územích jsou zcela nezákonné, ale Rusko je chce využít k legitimizaci okupace,” Kovalenko stated, as reported by the source materials.
Moscow does not hold full military control over any of the four regions it claims.
Exclusion of the Yabloko Party From the Ballot
The Kremlin is limiting electoral competition by permitting only parties that back ongoing military operations against Ukraine. The Russian Supreme Court banned the liberal Yabloko party from participating in the elections on a Monday, overturning its registration just days after the Central Electoral Commission approved it.
The court ruling followed a legal complaint filed by Rodina (Motherland), a pro-Kremlin nationalist party. Rodina accused Yabloko of breaking election laws, including accepting prohibited financial assistance. Yabloko denied the allegations and announced plans to appeal.
Party Chairman Nikolai Rybakov stated that legal grounds for the exclusion did not exist. Yabloko stood as the sole officially registered Russian party opposing the war, having previously called for a ceasefire and a transition to negotiations regarding Ukraine.
Pro-War Policy and Rising Domestic Opposition
Kovalenko described the removal of Yabloko as a calculated move to prevent anti-war voters from registering measurable support at polling stations. “Putin nevidí budoucnost bez války,” Kovalenko said, adding that the regime fears any display of anti-war sentiment.
Opposition to the continued conflict is growing across Russian regions and remains visible in Moscow, particularly amid reports concerning a potential new mobilization wave. Citizens opposing the war currently lack the organizational capacity to stage large street demonstrations, according to Kovalenko.
Kovalenko compared the domestic political climate to the final years of the Soviet Union. During that era, economic problems accumulated alongside private criticism of authorities, yet these pressures did not immediately translate into organized public protests.
Did you know?
The Yabloko party was the only officially registered political organization in Russia advocating for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations over the conflict in Ukraine before its registration was revoked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Russian elections in occupied Ukraine legally recognized?
Kyiv and international monitors reject any elections organized by Moscow in occupied Ukrainian territories, classifying them as illegal attempts to legitimize territorial annexation.
Why was the Yabloko party disqualified?
The Russian Supreme Court canceled Yabloko’s registration following a lawsuit from the pro-Kremlin Rodina party, which alleged campaign law violations and prohibited financial assistance.
What turnout target did the Kremlin set for the occupied regions?
According to Andrii Kovalenko, Moscow administration officials ordered targets of 65 to 70 percent voter turnout and at least 70 percent support for the United Russia party.
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