Moscow holds local elections in occupied parts of Ukraine
Vladimir Putin
In an attempt to cement their authority in the occupied regions, Russian authorities on Thursday (August 31) began holding elections in parts ofMoscow-annexed Ukrainian territories. Russia currently controls one-fifth of Ukraine's territory: the Crimea peninsula annexed in 2014, and parts ofLuhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions annexed in 2022.
Moscow's handpicked governors, which include veteran pro-Russian politicians and others known only locally, are currently seeking full terms of office in the four regions. The polls will conclude on September 10, when Russia holds regional polls, according to a Reuters report.
All governors have the endorsement of President Vladimir Putin after joining the Kremlin's United Russia bloc with fanfare in recent months. Consequently, most are facing only nominal opposition.
Watch |Russia-Ukraine war: Cardboard drone tech used against Russia
Kyiv condemns the move
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Delhi Consumer Court fines Indian Railways Rs 25,000 for making RAC passengers share one blanket
)
Who is Ruchika Singh, booked for using foul language against PM Modi at Jantar Mantar protests?
)
60,000 migrants from Morocco flood Spain's Ceuta, EU calls influx unacceptable, Trump warns US
)
'I was almost trafficked in Paris,' says Australian woman, shares terrifying ordeal - 'I am on the black market'
)
Google reveals Pixel 11 Pro design ahead of launch as new ‘Pixel Glow’ feature steals the show
)
WWE SummerSlam 2026 Match Card: Night 1 & Night 2 schedule, main events & full lineup
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
)
Pakistan Broad Peak avalanche: Body of US's Mallory Geis identified; Nirmal Purja, 9 others remain missing
)
'Exercise caution and heightened vigilance': US issues travel advisory for its citizens in Middle East
)
Pakistan avalanche: Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja confirmed dead
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet the next gen of South Cinema: From Rajinikanth's grandson to CM Vijay's son, star kids ready for debut
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'Fifth-generation fighters': Can the S-400 shoot down an F-35?
)
NEET Protests riddled with misinformation? Delhi Police blocks 480 Pakistan-based handles spreading 'fake news' since Operation Sindoor
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 openers with fastest ODI centuries, check who tops list
)
Russian e-retailer Ozon comes under Ukrainian drone attack amid Russia-Ukraine war
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why are iPhones so expensive compared to Android phones?
)
Mysterious structures uncovered beneath the Amazon show millions of humans once lived here
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 batters in latest ICC ODI rankings 2026 - check who sits at the top
)
Jared Leto controversy: Dylan Sprouse's old tweet resurfaces amid sexual assault allegations
)
Salman Khan enters Alliance to support brother, Sohail, netizens hail, 'tomorrow’s episode is going to be MASSIVE'
)
Tom Holland's Spider-Man’s next MCU appearance: Doomsday, Secret Wars? What the Brand New Day end-credits reveal
)
‘Satanic’ chainsaw-wielding rescue bot leaves internet divided: ‘Those eyes are horrifying’
)
"Am I Worthy?" Ranbir Kapoor addresses backlash over playing Lord Ram in Ramayana: Part 1
)
Are you an Indian on an H-1B visa? New US bill could make getting Green Card easier
)
US offers $15mn reward to dismantle alleged IRGC drone funding network
)
Ariana Grande's Petal video fuels debate as fans voice concern over her appearance
)
Have 7,000 Karnataka students tested positive for HIV? Here's the truth
)
Kim Kardashian shares sweet moment with boyfriend Lewis Hamilton during summer vacation
)
Harry Potter returning to theatres with unseen footage to celebrate 25 years of movie magic
)
'Days of threat culture over': Bengal CM assures safety as Taslima Nasreen returns after 19 years
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (July 31, 2026): The Vacation Principle, Rao Bahadur, Chum- Watch 6 new movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Hrithik Roshan reacts to 'sorry Hrithik' trend, Kangana Ranaut slams him, mentions Saba Azad: 'You are in a committed relationship'
Ceuta migrant crisis: 67 dead as Spain says most migrants return to Morocco
)
German anatomist 'Dr Death's' family to grant his creepy last wish
Kyiv has condemned the move and urged the citizens living in the "occupied areas" to not vote in the election, adding they should "leave the region" if possible.
"Russians have started holding 'elections' to pseudo-local councils and 'legislative bodies' in the temporarily occupied territories," Ukraine's National Resistance Centre (NRC), an official agency, was quoted as saying by CNN.
“We urge Ukrainians not to open their doors to the occupiers and, if possible, to leave the region or their homes for the period of 'early voting'," added NRC.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov slammed the West saying Moscow will not cooperate with the bloc in areas on which its security depends.
“Even if suddenly, by some incomprehensible command from above, the West offers us to return to more or less normal contacts, we will already think whether we should do this, and if so, in what areas,” said Lavrov.
“We will not agree to interact with the West, on which our security depends in every sense: military-political security, economic, technological,” he added.
The war extends
The Rusia-Ukraine war began last year in February and has dragged on for over 500 days with thousands of casualties and billions in damages. Despite Kyiv initiating a counteroffensive earlier this year, not much has changed on the ground.
After weeks of grinding combat, Kyiv is hoping for a major breakthrough in the Zaporizhzhia region after recapturing the village of Robotyne this week.
(With inputs from agencies)
WATCH WION LIVE HERE: