Russia schedules elections in occupied Ukrainian regions for September 10th.

Russia plans to hold local elections in the occupied territories of Ukraine on September 10, 2023, despite ongoing fighting in the region. The areas, which Russia calls "the new subjects of the Russian Federation," include Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. The UN and most countries have condemned the referenda held in these regions as illegitimate and undemocratic. Ukrainian political analysts believe that the move is an attempt by Russia to cement its occupation of the territories and show locals that there is no hope of regaining independence. However, the Ukrainian army has previously liberated the Kherson region, and the rest of the world is unlikely to recognize the elections.