2023-09-10 09:23:16
Sham elections in Donbass
In occupied Donbass, residents are also called to take part in regional elections – under supposedly democratic conditions.
(Photo: IMAGO/ITAR-TASS)
Kiev Overshadowed by allegations of fraud, Russia is holding regional elections in dozens of regions. Until Sunday evening, people in 22 areas can cast their votes in the gubernatorial election and in 16 areas in the regional parliament election. In the capital Moscow, incumbent Sergei Sobyanin from the Kremlin party United Russia is likely to secure another term in office in the mayoral election.
Independent observers have already registered numerous violations in the first days of voting. According to experts, the polls are considered to be the least free since the beginning of Vladimir Putin’s era in Russia around 24 years ago. Since the beginning of the war, under the leadership of President Putin, the largest country in the world in terms of area has seen a massive increase in the oppression of those who think differently. Many opposition figures critical of the Kremlin are now either in prison camps or have fled abroad.
The Kremlin has now also scheduled mock elections in the four Ukrainian regions annexed by Russia: Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia and Kherson. The results of these ballots organized by the occupying power are not internationally recognized.
Romania finds drone parts again
In the NATO state of Romania, the military said it once again found parts of a suspected Russian drone in the border area with Ukraine. The fragments were seized on Saturday near the Romanian village of Plaur and resembled drones used by the Russian military, the Defense Ministry said in a statement.
Possible drone remains in Romania
A fireball on the horizon on the Ukrainian bank of the Danube, seen from Chilia Veche in eastern Romania. NATO does not believe that debris found in Romania near the Ukrainian border was a deliberate Russian attack.
(Photo: dpa)
It initially remained unclear whether they were the result of a new Russian drone attack. The Romanian military had already found drone parts near Plaur on Wednesday. The town is located on the Chilia arm of the Danube, which forms the border with Ukraine.
Russia: Attacks on Crimea repelled
According to the Defense Ministry, Russia destroyed several Ukrainian naval boats and drones in the Black Sea aimed at the Crimean peninsula. Black Sea Fleet aircraft destroyed three military speedboats of the US Willard Sea Force type with crew north-east of the Snake Island, the ministry announced in Moscow on Sunday. The boats were heading towards the Crimean peninsula. The ministry had previously announced that air defense had also repelled attacks with eight drones near the Crimean coast during the night. The information could not be verified.
Damaged bridge in Crimea
The Kerch Bridge to Crimea had already been damaged in previous attacks.
(Photo: via REUTERS)
The Ukrainian attacks are disproportionate to the heavy bombings by Russia, which launched the war of aggression against Ukraine more than a year and a half ago. During its ongoing counteroffensive, Ukraine had always made it clear that it was also concerned with liberating the peninsula from Russian occupation.
Fire at Russian military unit
According to the occupiers, a fire broke out in a Russian military unit in the Crimean capital Simferopol. “There was an ordinary household fire in a military unit in Simferopol,” wrote adviser to the Russian leadership on the annexed Black Sea peninsula, Oleg Kryuchkov, on Telegram.
However, a video of a large column of black smoke was widely shared on social networks. Citing local residents, there was also talk of an explosion and gunshots. The cause of the fire initially remained unclear.
Klitschko: Drone attack on Kyiv
The Ukrainian capital of Kiev was rocked again by explosions early Sunday morning. The air defense system is in use, drones are flying towards Kiev, wrote Mayor Vitali Klitschko on Telegram. Debris fell in several districts.
This is how the Handelsblatt reports on the Ukraine war:
Some would burn in streets. A person was injured. No buildings were damaged. The fire brigade and rescue services are on duty.
Zelensky: Prepare energy sector for winter
Meanwhile, Ukraine is preparing for the next winter of war, according to statements made by President Volodymyr Zelensky. “In the public sector and in municipalities, everyone must now do everything possible – and if necessary, the impossible – to help Ukraine get through the winter,” Zelensky said in his daily video address. This is not just about preparing the energy sector itself, but also, for example, about protection through air defense systems.
More: All developments in the Ukraine war in our news blog
#Mock #elections #occupied #territories #drone #discovery #Romania