Early voting has commenced in Russia’s presidential election in areas under occupation, where officials are going door-to-door with ballot boxes, accompanied by soldiers. With dissenting voices silenced, exiled, or eliminated, Vladimir Putin is poised to secure another six-year term as the polls draw to a close next week. The four Ukrainian regions, partially occupied by Russia in 2022, will play a significant role in this orchestrated election.
Russian television is expected to depict a familiar narrative, showcasing supposedly grateful Ukrainians embracing Russian rule. This propaganda aims to convey a message of inevitability regarding Russian control to the local populace and present a facade of contentment to the Russian audience, particularly catering to Putin. However, the reality, as revealed by a Guardian investigation into the Zaporizhzhia region, tells a starkly different story.
The Russian takeover of the Zaporizhzhia region involved coercion, violence, and the installation of puppet authorities to legitimize their rule. Local leaders faced threats and imprisonment, with many refusing to collaborate. Those who acquiesced now face severe consequences if Ukraine regains control.
Deportations of residents deemed disloyal intensified under the guise of maintaining order, with chilling videos showcasing the forced removal of individuals across the frontline. The narrative of these actions is twisted to appear as a humanitarian gesture, masking the true intent of suppressing dissent.
Kidnappings of pro-Ukrainian individuals by Russian authorities have left families in anguish, with many unaware of their loved ones’ whereabouts for months. The harrowing accounts of individuals like Tetiana Dolzhenko, searching for her missing son, highlight the ongoing human rights violations in the region.
The Russian regime’s repressive tactics extend to re-population efforts, propaganda campaigns, and the importation of law enforcement and security personnel from Russia to maintain control. The manipulation of media and allocation of significant resources for propaganda underscore the regime’s commitment to shaping the narrative in occupied territories.
As the election approaches, Russian officials intensify efforts to coerce residents into taking Russian citizenship and suppress any opposition. The exodus of nearly half the region’s population, coupled with deportations and kidnappings, paints a grim picture of life under Russian occupation.
The future remains uncertain for those longing for liberation, with hopes pinned on the Ukrainian army to reclaim the territory. The psychological toll on pro-Ukrainian residents, coupled with the influx of Russian settlers, poses challenges for reconciliation and rebuilding trust post-occupation.
The complexities of collaboration, survival, and resistance in the face of oppression underscore the arduous path towards restoring peace and unity in the region once Ukraine regains control.