The Security Council and the United Nations condemn the holding of Russian elections in the annexed parts of Ukraine

The United Nations Security Council has condemned “in the strongest terms illegal attempts” by Russia to hold elections in “temporarily occupied territories within the internationally recognized territory of Ukraine”.

Russia has pressured Ukrainians in places like Donetsk to take part in Russian elections. This is because many have been forced to accept Russian passports in order to continue receiving services such as healthcare and pensions.

The UN Security Council said that holding elections in another UN member state without its consent violates “principles, sovereignty and territorial integrity”.

“Such actions have no validity under international law.”

Millions of Russian citizens went to the polls in a mock election process that was widely expected to confirm Vladimir Putin’s presidency for at least another six years.

The vote, led by ruler Vladimir Putin and also held in parts of Ukraine now controlled by Russian forces, will allow citizens to choose between four candidates, including Putin, between March 15 and 17.

Even elections and candidates on the electoral list are strictly controlled by the Kremlin.

The war in Ukraine cast a shadow over the vote. Putin said it involved repeated bombardments of western regions of Russia and an attempt by 2,500 Ukrainian representatives to invade two Russian regions with tanks.

“These hostile attacks will not go unpunished,” Putin threatened, visibly angry at a meeting of the Russian Security Council about several attacks that were not carried out by Ukraine.

Ukrainian officials immediately disputed Putin, saying the attacks were perpetrated by Ukraine-based Russian armed groups opposed to the Kremlin./TheGeopost/