Russia Contemplates Elections in Occupied Ukraine as Putin Eyes Fifth Presidential Term

According to a report by Interfax on Monday, December 11, the Russian election commission has hinted that the forthcoming presidential election will be held in parts of Ukraine that are presently partially occupied by Russia.

Elections may be able to be held in the regions that are presently partially under Russian control, according to reports from the Russian news agency Interfax, as the war in Ukraine nears its second anniversary.

According to Russian legislation, the CEC may call elections in regions under martial control, but only after first consulting with the FSB and the Ministry of Defence, according to the Moscow Times.

The Kremlin has declared the annexation of multiple territories in Ukraine. Kherson, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Donetsk are among the impacted areas.

Nikolai Bulayev, deputy chairman of the CEC, stated, “The electoral system of the four [occupied regions] is not only in working order, but it’s highly professional.”

Vladimir Putin plans to run for president for a fifth time. With Russia’s current political climate, a victory is anticipated. The presidential election is set for March 15–17 of the following year.