The Kremlin's assertion of annexation in these eastern and southern territories, despite not having full military control, has been met with strong opposition from Ukraine and its allies, who have deemed the elections as nothing more than a sham.

According to data released by Moscow and proxy officials, voters in these war-battered territories, where Ukraine continues to make efforts to regain control, reportedly cast more than 70 percent of their ballots in favor of the United Russia party. 

The elections, held in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, come against the backdrop of Russia's ongoing military presence in these regions. The international community remains skeptical about the legitimacy of the electoral process and the degree of autonomy exercised by the territories in question.

Ukraine and its allies have dismissed the elections as illegitimate, emphasizing that they do not recognize Russia's claim to these territories. This dispute over sovereignty has further strained diplomatic relations between Russia and Ukraine.

Additionally, these local elections in occupied Ukrainian regions are being seen as a precursor to Russia's presidential elections next year. The outcome of these presidential elections is expected to extend President Putin's rule, potentially until at least 2030.

Authorities in the occupied regions took measures to ensure the electoral process, including the setup of mobile polling booths. However, it is worth noting that Moscow reported an incident where a polling station in the region was allegedly attacked by a Ukrainian drone, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.

As the international community closely monitors the evolving situation, diplomatic efforts continue in an attempt to find a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. (ILKHA)