Russia is conducting its parliamentary election in Ukrainian regions it illegally annexed after launching its full-scale invasion more than four and a half years ago, marking the first such vote in those areas.
Key facts
- Russia is holding a parliamentary election in Ukrainian regions it annexed.
- It is the first time such a vote has taken place in these areas.
- The regions were illegally annexed by Moscow after the start of its full-scale invasion.
- The invasion began more than four and a half years ago.
Russia is holding its parliamentary election in regions of Ukraine that Moscow illegally annexed, according to NPR. It marks the first time such a vote has been staged in those areas since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The annexation of the Ukrainian territories followed the start of the invasion more than four and a half years ago, NPR reported. By holding the parliamentary vote there, Russia is extending its electoral processes into land it seized during the war.
The move underscores Moscow’s effort to formalize its control over the annexed regions through Russian institutions, folding them into the country’s political system despite the annexation being widely regarded as illegal.
The reporting does not detail the specific regions involved, the number of voters, or the timing of results. NPR’s account focuses on the significance of the vote being held for the first time in territory taken during the war.
Why it matters
Holding Russian elections in annexed Ukrainian territory is a step Moscow uses to cement its claim over land seized by force. The vote highlights the ongoing dispute over sovereignty in these regions and the broader consequences of a conflict now stretching well beyond four years.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Russia holding this parliamentary vote?
Russia is holding the vote in regions of Ukraine that Moscow illegally annexed after the start of its full-scale invasion, according to NPR.
Why is this election significant?
It is the first time Russia's parliamentary election is being held in the annexed Ukrainian regions, according to NPR.
How long has the war been going on?
According to NPR, Russia's full-scale invasion began more than four and a half years ago.