Sham Elections

Sham elections are so-called "elections" that Russia holds in the occupied territories of Ukraine in order to "legitimise" its rule. However, neither Ukraine nor other civilised countries of the world (in particular, the USA, Europe and others) recognise Russia's so-called "elections".

After the start of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine and the seizure of parts of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, the Kremlin held sham referendums in 2022, and later, in 2023, "regional elections" to supposedly local authorities. 

Also, in 2024, people in the occupied territories were forced to vote for Vladimir Putin. 

In addition, after seizing Ukrainian lands in the East in 2014, Russia held sham referendums. First, to justify the occupation of Crimea, and later, to create fake republics in parts of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions. In the same year, Russia also held sham elections in Donbas.