Ukraine condemns Russia's 'elections' in occupied territories

Ukrinform report of 18 September 2026 on a statement by Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the State Duma voting in the temporarily occupied territories. The ministry called it a farce staged by the occupying state that creates no legal basis for extending Russian jurisdiction to any part of Ukraine, said Ukraine recognises neither the holding of the voting nor its null and void results, called on other states and international organisations not to recognise them, warned that taking part may have legal consequences, and said that seating representatives elected in the occupied territories undermines the legitimacy of the whole State Duma.