# Russia Holds Parliamentary Vote in Annexed Ukrainian Regions

> Russia conducts first parliamentary election in territories it seized from Ukraine, sparking international condemnation.
- Title: Russia Holds Parliamentary Vote in Annexed Ukrainian Regions
- Summary: Russia conducts first parliamentary election in territories it seized from Ukraine, sparking international condemnation. Russia held its first parliamentary…
- Keywords: russia, ukraine, parliamentary vote, donetsk, luhansk, kherson, zaporizhzhia, crimea, state duma, kremvna, international law, human rights
- Source: Seattletimes — https://seattletimes.com/nation-world/russian-holds-parliamentary-vote-in-areas-it-seized-from-ukraine-in-the-war
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: russia, ukraine, parliamentary vote, donetsk, luhansk, kherson, zaporizhzhia, crimea, state duma, kremvna, international law, human rights
## Russia's First Parliamentary Election in Annexed Territories
Russia’s parliamentary election for the first time includes residents of regions Moscow illegally annexed from Ukraine after its full-scale invasion began over 4 1/2 years ago.
## Kyiv Denounces Vote as Illegal
Kyiv officials vigorously denounced the action as illegal, urging foreign governments not to recognize the election results.
## Voting in Annexed Regions Begins
Balloting started Friday in Russia and continues until Sunday, with voting in annexed Ukrainian territories and border areas underway since last month.
## Kremlin Claims 3.5 Million Voters
Russian authorities say Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia territories have over 3.5 million voters, annexed in September 2022 despite not being fully under Moscow’s control.
## Putin Emphasizes Voting Importance
Putin stressed voting in the regions is critical for the State Duma, noting residents will vote for the first time since their reunification with Russia.
## Human Rights Groups Warn of Coercion
Human rights activists described residents as coerced into voting, with local election commissions pressured by Russian troops to force participation.
## International Condemnation of Vote
The European Commission called the voting in Russian-held regions a blatant violation of international law and refused to recognize the election results.
## Key takeaway

Russia held its first parliamentary election in regions it illegally annexed from Ukraine, which Ukraine and international bodies denounced as illegal and coercive.