Ukraine sanctions 44 over Russian State Duma votes in occupied regions

September 27, 2026 at 04:56 AM2 min

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday, September 27, imposed sanctions on 44 people involved in organizing Russia's State Duma elections in occupied Ukrainian territories. Of those sanctioned, 38 hold both Ukrainian and Russian citizenship. The move follows Russia's September 18-20 parliamentary vote, which Kyiv and Western allies have declared illegal.

Key Facts

Ukraine imposed sanctions on 44 individuals involved in organizing Russia's State Duma elections in occupied Ukrainian territories.
38 of the sanctioned individuals hold both Ukrainian and Russian citizenship.
Russia held State Duma elections from September 18 to 20, including voting in occupied parts of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions.
The European Union announced readiness to impose sanctions on those who facilitated the elections in occupied Ukrainian territories.

Sanctions Imposed

President Zelensky signed the sanctions decree on Saturday, September 27, targeting individuals linked to the Russian State Duma elections in occupied areas. The Ukrainian presidential office stated that some of those sanctioned had previously been elected as so-called deputies of illegally formed local councils in temporarily occupied territory. The sanctions list includes 44 people, with 38 holding dual Ukrainian-Russian citizenship.

Election Context

Russia conducted State Duma elections from September 18 to 20, 2026, the first parliamentary vote to include occupied Ukrainian regions. Russian authorities created separate single-mandate districts for the occupied territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions. Among those declared elected in the occupied regions were Channel One war correspondent Irina Kuksenkova and former self-proclaimed DPR leader Alexander Borodai, both from United Russia. Eight additional representatives from occupied territories entered the State Duma through federal party lists, including former Ukrainian First Deputy Prime Minister Serhiy Arbuzov.

International Response

Ukraine and its Western allies have declared the election process and its results illegal. The European Union stated its readiness to impose sanctions on individuals who facilitated the elections in occupied Ukrainian territories.