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Russia holds State Duma vote in annexed Ukrainian regions: Moscow cites 3.5 million voters

Russia's parliamentary vote includes residents of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia—territories Russia annexed in September 2022. Kyiv called the balloting illegal; human rights groups and analysts report coercion and pressure on local residents.

• Russia included residents of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia in the State Duma vote; Moscow says there are over 3.5 million voters there.
• Kyiv called the voting illegal and urged foreign governments not to recognise the election.
• Human rights groups report coercion: door-to-door visits escorted by troops, threats of dismissal and linking social payments to participation.