Ukraine declares Russian elections in occupied territories illegal and void

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry issued a statement declaring the upcoming Russian parliamentary elections in occupied Ukrainian territories illegal and their outcomes null and void. It stressed that the involvement of observers from ex-Soviet states does not legitimize the vote, which Moscow appears to use to confer credibility on the process. Russia annexed four Ukrainian regions following referendums denounced by Western governments, though it has not fully secured control over all of them.

United Russia, the party supported by President Vladimir Putin, along with other pro-Kremlin factions, is projected to dominate the September parliamentary contest. In contrast, the head of Yabloko, the only registered party opposing the war, said he will stay in Russia and continue his activism despite pressure that led to the party's removal from the ballot. The ministry's remarks were released as an observer mission from former Soviet states began monitoring the election procedures.