The head of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation Valentina Matvienko said that regional elections in the territories of Ukraine occupied by Russia will be held on September 10, 2023.

According to UK Department of Defense intelligence analysts, the inclusion of "

Such statements in Russia are resorted to against the backdrop of other efforts to “Russify” the occupied territories, including the revision of education, communications and transport systems..

“Although the democratic choice is no longer available to voters even in regional elections in Russia, leaders are likely to put forward the self-justifying argument that new elections justify the occupation even more,” British intelligence notes..

Last Defense Intelligence update on situation in Ukraine - 6 February 2023From UK government's response: https://t. co/xZDhLskCpY? #StandWithUkraine? pic. twitter. com/COtwsg8peP.

— Ministry of Defense? (@DefenceHQ) February 6, 2023.

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Recall that on September 30, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed "

In the world, the annexation of Ukrainian territories was met with harsh criticism and non-recognition.