russia has scheduled "elections" in the temporarily occupied territories of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.
This is reported by russian media.
"The CEC has officially scheduled elections in the DPR, LPR, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts for 10 September 2023 – the Unified Voting Day," the report says.
Background. russians have been planning these elections in the occupied Ukrainian territories since last year.
Elections in the occupied regions will definitely be held to demonstrate the legitimacy of the government, says a source close to the russian State Duma. The Presidential Administration of russia is dealing with this, as well as the internal politics. "Right now, this is the main task of the administration, as well as the integration of territories," the source says.
In the kremlin, it is likely that they will bet on local politicians and public figures, says a source close to the russian State Duma. "Such people are not always easy to find," the source adds.
russia annexed Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts in September. From the 23rd to the 27th of September, referendums were held in the former Ukrainian regions. The European Union and the United States condemned the annexation of the Ukrainian regions, and the UN declared the vote illegitimate.