Russian authorities are holding local elections this weekend in occupied parts of Ukraine in an effort to tighten their grip on territories Moscow illegally annexed a year ago and still does not fully control. The voting for Russian-installed legislatures in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions begins Friday and concludes Sunday. It has already been denounced by Kyiv and the West. Ukrainian lawmakers urged other countries not to recognize the results of the vote. One analyst said it is important for Russia to go on with the voting to maintain the illusion of normalcy.
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Russian authorities are holding local elections in occupied parts of Ukraine this weekend, in an attempt to strengthen their control over the territories they illegally annexed a year ago. The voting has been criticised by Kyiv and the West, who consider it a violation of international law. Russia, however, is keen to maintain the illusion of normalcy and show that the political process is going according to plan.