Russia wants to legitimize the sham elections in the occupied Kherson region with the help of observers
Russia continues its information campaign aimed at creating the appearance of legitimacy for the sham elections to the State Duma of the Russian Federation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. In the occupied part of the Kherson region, representatives of the so-called “Public Chamber” announced their participation in observing the voting.
The main phase of voting for the Russian State Duma is scheduled for September 18–20, 2026.
Russia is also extending this electoral process to the temporarily occupied parts of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions, as well as to Crimea and Sevastopol.
According to the Ukrainian side, the involvement of so-called public observers is intended to create the illusion of a transparent and independent electoral process.
Earlier, the Center for Countering Disinformation reported that no reputable international organization is participating in monitoring the elections to the Russian State Duma. The Center noted that the Russian authorities are attempting to compensate for the lack of international monitoring by involving foreigners loyal to the Kremlin and other representatives who are expected to create the narrative desired by Russian propaganda.
At the same time, Ukraine’s Central Election Commission stated that Russia’s holding of elections in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine is illegal, and their results will have no legal force.
Ukrainian officials emphasize that voting in the occupied territories is taking place under Russian occupation and amid pressure on the local population.
Russian authorities are already preparing for the vote in the occupied Kherson region. In particular, the occupation election commission has approved a ballot featuring candidates from Russian political parties and has announced plans for early and absentee voting.
Thus, the so-called “civil society observers” do not alter the legal status of the voting organized by Russia in the temporarily occupied territories. Ukrainian authorities consider these actions illegal and believe they have no legal consequences for the status of Ukrainian territories.
This was reported by the Center for Countering Disinformation.
In Russia, three days of voting in the State Duma elections began on September 18. It will continue until September 20. At the same time, even before the main voting began, independent Russian media and representatives of opposition forces reported pressure on observers, coercion of public sector employees, and possible violations during the organization of the vote.
Russia is preparing to hold illegal “elections” to the State Duma in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. Voting is scheduled for September 18–20, 2026.
Through its Foreign Intelligence Service, Russia has launched a new propaganda campaign to create the illusion of legitimacy for the September “elections” to the State Duma. A statement from the SVR claims that the EU, PACE, and Western intelligence agencies are allegedly preparing acts of destabilization, cyberattacks, and provocations, as well as enlisting the Russian opposition to discredit the vote.
