DISINFO: Elections in the four new Russian regions show a desire for freedom
SUMMARY
The elections in the four new Russian regions make clear that no threat, drone attack or bombing will undermine the desire for freedom of their people. The election, which gave an overwhelming victory to the Russia United party, have been an example on how despite adversity, these territories follow their own path.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation aiming to justify Russia’s forceful and illegitimate annexation of Ukrainian territory. Neither these four regions nor Crimea can be considered Russian land, as they are under illegal occupation.
In contrast to the disinformation narrative, these fraudulent, sham elections do not represent the will of the people but rather an effort to strengthen Russia's grip on these regions.
According to the UN, these so-called elections in occupied areas of Ukraine “have no legal grounds” and “undermine peace prospects”. The Council of Europe said that they “can only be considered as null and void under international law”.
EU HRVP Josep Borrell stated:
“The European Union strongly condemns the holding of these illegitimate so-called “elections” in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol and in parts of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions of Ukraine, [and rejects] this further futile attempt by Russia to legitimise or normalize its illegal military control and attempted annexation of parts of Ukrainian territories, as condemned in the UNGA Resolution adopted on 12 October 2022. It represents yet another manifest violation of international law, including the UN Charter, and Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The European Union does not and will not recognise either the holding of these so-called “elections” or their results. Russia’s political leadership and those involved in organising them will face consequences of these illegal actions”.
See other examples of similar disinformation narratives, such as claims that Crimea and four other regions voted to join Russia, that the referendums in Eastern Ukraine were completely transparent and legitimate, that Kherson residents want to join Russia, not Ukraine, that most people in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya region identify as Russians, or that the annexation of Crimea brought peace and prosperity to this region.