"Controversial Local Elections Held in Occupied Parts of Ukraine"

Authorities in separatist and Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine have started early voting in local elections, ahead of the scheduled voting on September 10. The elections are being held in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, while voting in Kherson and Luhansk regions will open on Saturday. The elections lack real opposition as dissenting voices are being suppressed. Russian soldiers are overseeing the voting process at "mobile" polling stations. Moscow controls a significant portion of Ukraine's territory, including Crimea, and is attempting to legitimize its control over the occupied regions through these elections.