Title: Ukraine Condemns "Sham Elections" Organized by Russia

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry condemned today, Friday, the "sham elections" organized by Russia on Ukrainian territories, stating that they are "invalid" and lack legal basis. The ministry's statement noted that the elections in Ukrainian territories "grossly violate Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity," and are in contradiction with international law. It added: "Russia's sham elections in (temporarily occupied) territories are null and void. They will have no legal consequences and will not change the status of Ukrainian lands seized by the Russian army." Kyiv urged its international partners to denounce the voting and not to recognize the results. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken described the voting in Ukrainian territories under Moscow's control as "sham elections," labeling them "illegal." In response, the Russian embassy in the United States stated today, Friday, that Washington is interfering in Moscow's affairs. Russia is organizing regional elections, including in four Ukrainian regions that are not fully under its control: Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson.