Preparation for referendums in the occupied regions of Ukraine

In July, Russian authorities began preparations for holding “referendums” in the occupied territories of Ukraine - in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions. Electoral structures were created locally, information campaigns were carried out, and Russian passports were imported. Inside Russia, this was presented as a step towards “historical unification.” However, the international community stated in advance that any such votes would be illegitimate. In the summer, the logistics of Russian passports and the management of new territories intensified, which became one of the most complex political and administrative processes of the year.