Moscow claimed Sunday evening the victory of Vladimir Putin’s party in the elections organized in the territories annexed to Ukraine, with more than 70% of the votes, ballots considered “illegal” by Kiev and its allies.
The Central Election Commission of Russia has claimed that the United Russia party came out on top in these regional elections in the four territories annexed to Ukraine. The President of the Electoral Commission, Ella Pamfilova, welcomed the elections which took place “dynamically, with few violations”.
With these elections spread over three days, from Friday to Sunday, Moscow wanted to legitimize its annexations in Ukraine by having the occupied territories vote in the East and South. Despite strong condemnations from the West, Russia proclaimed in September 2022 the annexation of four Ukrainian territories that it only partially controls – Zaporizhia, Kherson, Donetsk and Lugansk -, following “referendums” not recognized by the International community. The fighting is still raging there and the Ukrainian army has launched a counter-offensive.