Russia Holds Legislative Elections in Occupied Ukrainian Territories; Kyiv Rejects

Russia is conducting parliamentary elections, including for the first time in occupied Ukrainian territories, a move confirmed to consolidate administrative control and legitimize its annexation claims. Concurrently, Ukraine has launched a mass drone attack on Moscow and other Russian regions, with Russian sources claiming interception of 76 to 152 drones over the capital, a significant escalation in long-range strikes timed to disrupt the electoral process. The scale and impact of the drone attacks remain partially unconfirmed, but the timing suggests a deliberate challenge to Russia's political narrative.