Despite numerous appeals from the international community and international institutions, Russia continues to organize so-called “elections” in the occupied territories, trying to integrate them into Russian reality and “legalize” the consequences of its reckless, aggressive policy.

On September 6-8, 2024, the Russian Federation will hold a “Single Voting Day,” during which elections to local authorities of various levels will be held. The “Single Voting Day” lasted three days in previous years: September 6-8. The practice, introduced during COVID-19 to avoid creating crowds, was continued afterward but due to the occupier’s uncertainty about the “voter” turnout.

Russia is once again trying to extend this process to the territory of occupied Crimea, which is nothing more than a continuation of an arbitrary crime that began more than ten years ago and absolute evidence of disregard for international law.

We emphasize that the so-called “elections” in the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol are illegal and have no legal consequences. The unlawful “electoral process” organized and conducted by the aggressor state in the temporarily occupied territories has no legitimacy in the eyes of Ukraine and the international community.

We would like to draw the international community’s attention to the fact that the representatives of the Russian occupation administrations operating in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, in particular, those who are “elected” during the so-called “elections,” are not authorized by the Ukrainian side to represent the Ukrainian authorities at any level. All those involved in the organization and holding of the so-called “elections” in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine will be brought to justice in accordance with the current legislation of Ukraine.

The Mission urges the international community to continue the policy of non-recognition of the legitimacy of the respective “elections” and to hold Russia accountable for its crimes.

Crimea elections can only occur when Ukraine regains control and sovereignty over the peninsula.