EU Sanctions 77 Russian Duma Candidates in Occupied Ukraine

The EU has drafted sanctions against 77 candidates running in the 2026 Russian State Duma elections in Ukraine's occupied territories, signaling continued pressure on Russia's electoral integration of seized land. The move follows established EU practice of sanctioning individuals involved in elections in occupied regions, but the scale and timing ahead of the vote mark a notable escalation. It underscores the EU's stance that such elections are illegitimate, though the direct impact on the election outcome is likely limited.