Amid the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, a controversial claim has emerged from Ukrainian intelligence suggesting that the Russian Defence Ministry is allowing posthumous votes for President Vladimir Putin. This startling allegation implies a new level of electoral manipulation, ostensibly to bolster support for Putin within the military ranks.
According to the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU), recent directives from the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation have significantly relaxed voter identification standards for military personnel. The DIU states, “The standards for voter identification among military personnel have been simplified to the extent that their physical presence at the polling station is no longer necessary.” Furthermore, it appears that neither passports nor military IDs are required to confirm identity, with photocopies deemed sufficient.
The Ukrainian intelligence’s findings suggest this move may permit the counting of deceased or missing soldiers, as well as those taken prisoner, as “voters” for Putin. The DIU asserts, “To confirm one’s identity, neither a passport nor a military ID will be required – even photocopies of documents are sufficient.” This information points to a possible attempt to inflate the vote count in Putin’s favor, a tactic that Ukrainian intelligence refers to as bringing “ghosts” to the “polls.”
These allegations form part of a broader narrative that the Kremlin is employing various measures to manipulate the outcomes of the so-called “Russian presidential elections.” The DIU adds, “Although it is obvious to everyone that neither the legitimacy of these elections nor their results serve as a means of legitimising Putin’s rule, neither in Russia nor beyond its borders.”
The claims come at a time when regions within Russia, such as Belgorod and Kursk oblasts, are facing their own turmoil. The Freedom of Russia Legion on Telegram reported an exodus of civilians from these areas, with almost 8,000 civilian cars leaving overnight. This mass evacuation is reportedly due to increased hostilities, with Russian volunteer soldiers urging residents to evacuate due to a “special military operation on the territory of the aforementioned oblasts.”
Meanwhile, Russian political figures critical of the war find themselves sidelined from the political process. Boris Nadezhdin, a former State Duma member who has been a long-term critic of Putin, was barred from the election. He told Sky News, “I think a large amount of my support was because of my anti-war stance, and I think this stance was why I wasn’t permitted to run in these elections.”
Amid these controversies and struggles, the human cost of the conflict continues to mount. Ukraine has recently reclaimed the bodies of 100 fallen soldiers, highlighting the ongoing sacrifices being made in the conflict. The Coordination Headquarters on the Treatment of Prisoners of War on Telegram communicated, “Another repatriation event took place, and 100 fallen defenders of Ukraine were returned to their homeland.”
Relevant articles:
– Russian Defence Ministry allowing soldiers to cast posthumous votes for Putin, says Ukrainian intelligence
– Almost 8,000 civilian cars left Belgorod and Kursk oblasts overnight, Russian volunteer soldiers say, Ukrainska Pravda, Fri, 15 Mar 2024 09:06:24 GMT
– Ukraine war latest: Two Russian regions now active combat zones, Ukraine says; voting begins in Russian election, Sky News, Wed, 13 Mar 2024 18:03:07 GMT
– Ukraine reclaims 100 bodies of fallen defenders, Ukrainska Pravda, Fri, 15 Mar 2024 10:31:28 GMT