Story perspectives

EU Won’t Recognize Duma Vote in Annexed Territories

By Drooid · Sep 20, 2026, 6:16 AM UTC · How we work

Center

Yabloko Ballot Removal

Russians began voting on Friday, September 18, 2026, in a three-day State Duma parliamentary election.
The Kremlin asserts the election will prove broad public support for the war, even though most anti-war candidates are excluded.
President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of deliberately blocking peace negotiations and trying to meddle in Russia’s parliamentary vote.
Russia’s Supreme Court ruled the Yabloko party violated electoral rules, removing it from the ballot.

Left

EU Denounces Annexed Vote

Russians began voting on Friday, September 18, 2026, in a three-day State Duma parliamentary election across the country.
Human-rights groups say residents of occupied Ukrainian regions are being forced to vote under military escort.
European Union said voting in annexed territories breaches law and will not recognise results.
Election officials, with Russian troops, visited homes in occupied areas to force residents to vote.

Blindspot

Human-rights groups say residents of the occupied Ukrainian regions are being forced to vote under military escort, with election officials and Russian troops visiting homes to compel ballots.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Left-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Center-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

In February-March 2014, Russian troops seized Crimea, held a 16 March referendum reporting 96.77% support, and on 18 March declared the peninsula Russia’s 84th federal subject; the UN General Assembly rejected the move on 27 March with a 100-11-58 vote. On 18 September 2026, Russia forced voters in occupied Donetsk, Luhansk and Crimea to vote for the State Duma under military escort, echoing the 2014 coercion.

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Yabloko Ballot Removal

Russians began voting on Friday, September 18, 2026, in a three-day State Duma parliamentary election.
The Kremlin asserts the election will prove broad public support for the war, even though most anti-war candidates are excluded.
President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of deliberately blocking peace negotiations and trying to meddle in Russia’s parliamentary vote.
Russia’s Supreme Court ruled the Yabloko party violated electoral rules, removing it from the ballot.

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