Mariupol is Putin’s blueprint for occupation, and the world is barely paying attention
18.05.2026
When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Mariupol quickly became the site of…
Since the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian war, the Kremlin has been illegally holding so-called “elections” in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine using the same method: legitimizing illegal occupation and creating the illusion of democracy.
In 2014, pseudo-elections were used by Russia to grant “authority” to the occupation administration in Crimea. Today, the aggressor’s goal remains unchanged: the refined algorithm is being repeated in the territories seized since the start of the full-scale invasion. The very fact of holding elections in occupied territories, especially with the participation of Western “observers” and politicians, became a marker of the Kremlin’s impunity, which ultimately led to a sense of total unaccountability and became a “green light” for Russia to launch a full-scale war.
After the illegal annexation of Crimea, and later parts of Luhansk and Donetsk regions, foreign politicians and public figures repeatedly visited the occupied territories. Each such visit was presented by Russian propagandists as a diplomatic victory and proof of Western support for their actions. The lack of international reaction and the activity of the Kremlin’s network of international representatives had an effect — the annexation of Ukrainian territories began to be legitimized globally, with the occupation of the peninsula and parts of eastern Ukraine described as a “conflict.”
THE CONSEQUENCES OF SILENCE
As of September 10, 2023, another round of voting for local councils and legislative bodies was announced across Russia. Residents of the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine were also prepared for this process: forced Russian passportization was carried out, along with “early voting” for local “authorities” appointed by the occupiers. This year’s pseudo-elections are a continuation of a nine-year crime and a consequence of the silent support of Russian policy since the so-called “Crimean referendum.”
Having failed to serve as a signal of terrorism for the world in 2014, the Russian-Ukrainian war escalated into a full-scale invasion which, after February 24, 2022, claimed the lives of thousands of Ukrainian civilians, including children. Silence in response to crimes continues to fuel Russia’s sense of impunity.
Polling stations in the temporarily occupied territories of Kherson and Donetsk regions. Source – occupation media.
As last year, when a pseudo-referendum on the “accession” of occupied territories to the Russian Federation was held, Russian security forces are visiting the apartments of Ukrainians living under occupation with “mobile polling stations,” forcing them under pressure to cast their votes. In case of refusal, Ukrainians are subjected to repression. Since early August, the occupiers have even stopped forcibly deporting people to Russia in order to obtain higher turnout figures from Ukraine.
“Military escort” and “gratitude of the population” during early voting.
Source – Telegram channel of Donetsk mayor Kulemzin.
“This staged performance of elections in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine is needed by the Kremlin to create the impression of support for Putin’s policies among the local population. But there is an important nuance — our people live under Russian occupation as hostages, temporarily deprived by the Kremlin of all their basic rights. Voting at gunpoint is yet another crime of Russia for which it must be held accountable”, commented the situation Head of the UCSC Serhii Kuzan.
In addition to pseudo-elections, Russia intends to increase and accelerate mobilization: for this purpose, occupation administrations allowed Ukrainian passports and driver’s licenses to be used at polling stations.
THE WEST’S RESPONSE
Another act of lawlessness disguised as elections, scheduled for September 10, is taking place due to insufficient—and in some cases completely absent—international response to the actions of a terrorist state.
By blurring an obvious crime with narratives of “ambiguity,” the international community once again gives the Kremlin a green light to continue its criminal activities.
Since early September, only the EU has reacted and condemned the so-called “elections.” The United Nations, which should have responded to such a blatant crime, has remained silent.
“In 2014, the world chose to turn a blind eye to the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian war and continue ‘business as usual’ with Russia. Back then, the Kremlin was feared, and attempts were made to resolve the situation with minimal losses for oneself. Today, Ukraine has changed this reality. Therefore, everyone who participated in illegal elections since 2014 and illegally entered Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk regions must be held accountable”, emphasized Serhii Kuzan.
If you have information about collaborators or violators involved in legitimizing the occupation, please report it to the UCSC at [email protected]. Documenting crimes and every perpetrator is the first step toward accountability.
We call on everyone to share information about Russia’s illegal actions during the voting, mentioning the UN and other international organizations responsible for upholding international law.
