Voting in regional and local elections has begun in various regions of Russia and will last for three days. This time, however, voting is also taking place in the occupied parts of Ukraine, including Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions. This was reported by the US State Department.


Despite the fact that Russia has announced the annexation of these territories, where hostilities continue, and imposed martial law, it is holding elections there by amending the law.


It is noted that Russian election committees visit voters' homes, sometimes accompanied by the military.


The US State Department called this voting in the occupied territories a "pseudo-election" and a "propaganda exercise."


They emphasized that the United States will never recognize Russia's claims to Ukrainian territories.


The United States also warned everyone involved in organizing this vote to warn so-called international observers from other countries that they could be included in sanctions lists.


Regional and municipal elections are being held in more than 30 Russian regions.


Observers note that in many cases there is no real competition.


In Moscow, the current Mayor Sergei Sobyanin is considered the favorite, as he has no serious competitors. In a number of regions and large cities, deputies to legislative assemblies and city councils are also elected.


In Yekaterinburg, Alexei Navalny's supporters are calling for voting for candidates who do not support the war as part of the "Smart Vote." Most of them represent the Yabloko party, which promotes pacifist slogans.