Vladimir Putin’s party claims a large victory in the elections organized by Russia in the annexed territories

Russia claimed, on the evening of Sunday September 10, the victory of Vladimir Putin’s party in the elections organized in the territories annexed to Ukraine. Polls considered “illegal” by kyiv and its allies.

Russia’s Central Election Commission said the Russian president’s United Russia party came out on top, with more than 70% of the vote, in these regional elections in the four territories annexed to Ukraine. These are the regions of Zaporizhia, Kherson, Donetsk and Luhansk.

Moscow tries to legitimize its annexations

The President of the Electoral Commission, Ella Pamfilova, welcomed the elections that took place “dynamically, with few violations”. With these elections spread over three days, from Friday to Sunday, Moscow is trying to legitimize its annexations in Ukraine by voting in the occupied territories in the east and south of the country, where fighting is still intense.

Despite strong condemnations from the West, Russia proclaimed in September 2022 the annexation of four Ukrainian territories that it only partially controls, following “referendums” not recognized by the international community. The vote comes a few months before the presidential election scheduled for early 2024, which could consolidate Vladimir Putin in power until 2030.