Ukrainians Forced to Vote at Gunpoint in Occupied Territories, Violating International Law
Ukrainians in territories occupied by the Russian military are being forced to vote in the Russian presidential election under the watch of heavily armed, masked soldiers who are accompanying election officials going from house to house, knocking on doors as they seek to compel participation. This staging of the election in occupied Ukraine is a violation of international law and has received condemnation by Ukraine and 55 other nations in a statement at the United Nations. The Russian military’s intimidation and coercion tactics are denying Ukrainians their freedom to choose and the basic principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Election Held in Gunpoint
Yevheniia Hliebova, head of Novomykolaivka village military administration in Kherson region, who has left occupied territory, described it as an “election at gunpoint. That is, violence.” The presence of armed soldiers as part of the election officials’ brigade creates an atmosphere of fear and threat, where voting is not voluntary but forced. Those who refuse to vote are threatened with repercussions, adding to the coercive nature of the election.
Echoes of Illegal Referendums and Annexation
The intimidation of Ukrainians to vote under Russian military control in the presidential election is not an isolated incident. This coercive tactic mirrors the process in 2022 when residents in occupied areas were similarly forced at gunpoint to vote in illegal referendums on Russian annexation. It is important to note that Ukraine had condemned those illegal annexations and strives to recover the territories. However, Russia has not relinquished its claims, which trace back to its illegal invasion and annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Predetermined Outcome and Lack of Democratic Choice
Vladimir Putin, who has ruled as Russia’s supreme political leader since 1999, is guaranteed to win the election, ensuring another six-year term in power. The election, even for legitimate voters in Russia, offers no genuine democratic choice. The Kremlin blocks genuine opposition candidates, controls media coverage, and is alleged to falsify results. Putin’s engineering of constitutional changes in 2020 further enables him to rule potentially until 2036, marking his stronghold on power.
Russian Propaganda and Indoctrination
Russia’s continued use of children for state propaganda and indoctrination is another central feature of its actions in the occupied areas and within Russia itself. State media portrays happy residents at Mariupol polling stations, manipulating the image of life under Russian control. This propaganda aims to legitimize Russia’s influence and sway public perception.
A Life Pervaded by Fear and Uncertainty
The occupation of Ukrainian territories goes beyond forced voting. It encompasses a broader process of Russification, which entails forced curriculum changes in schools, the oppression and expulsion of pro-Kyiv figures, the installation of Kremlin puppet administrations, and the requirement for Ukrainians to acquire Russian passports for daily life.
Vulnerable Elderly Targeted in Coercive Tactics
Election officials and soldiers are specifically targeting vulnerable elderly individuals in occupied areas, using intimidation, bribery, and pressure to force them to vote. The distribution of gifts and the manipulation of the process are intensely distressing for these individuals who recall the horrors of the past. The soldiers’ presence further instills fear and reawakens traumatic memories.
The Blatant Invasion of Ukrainian Territory
Russia’s manipulation of occupied areas to conduct so-called “democratic elections” is a cynical attempt to legitimize Putin’s illegal attempt at a land grab. However, the international community, particularly Ukraine’s military intelligence directorate, calls out Russia’s tactics of intimidation and violence in blatantly infringing on Ukraine’s sovereign territory. Recognition of the occupation’s true nature is necessary to address the ongoing crisis and protect the rights and safety of Ukrainian civilians.
[Reporting by [Author’s Name] for [News Website]]
