Russia Begins Early Voting in Donetsk, Soldiers Guard Ballot Boxes
At the polling station in the town of Donetsk, a Russian border guard stood beside a ballot box, watching voters line up. The guard’s presence marked the start of early voting in the region, a move that comes as Russia prepares for its parliamentary elections on March 17. The operation is part of a broader strategy to secure control over occupied territories. It also signals a shift in how Russia is conducting its electoral outreach in contested areas.
What Happened: Early Voting Under Armed Guard
On March 14, the Russian Ministry of Justice announced that early voting would commence in all settlements under its control in the Donetsk region, beginning at 7 a.m. local time. In the city of Donetsk, polling stations were set up in municipal buildings and community centers, each staffed by a team of election officials and accompanied by at least two armed border guards. The guards, wearing standard‑issue helmets and camouflage vests, were positioned outside the entrance and inside the voting hall to ensure order. Voters were required to present a photo ID and a registration card issued by the Russian electoral commission. According to the Russian Ministry of Justice, 12,000 residents in Donetsk were registered to vote in the early session. The Ministry also released a timetable, indicating that voting would continue through March 15 before closing for the national election on March 17. Observers from the Ukrainian Human Rights Center noted that the presence of armed personnel at polling stations is a departure from the practices observed in Ukraine’s
Despite being an active conflict zone, Donetsk’s early‑voting precincts reported a higher turnout percentage than any Russian federal subject in the 2023 parliamentary election.
