Demographic and migration crises are some of the major challenges caused by the full-scale invasion. In fact, the Kremlin has sent Ukraine's human capital situation into a steep dive. However, demographic problems are not new for our country, they have been challenging us for a long time now.  The 1990s optimistic advertising slogan of “We are 52 million” has never been true to fact. Today, it looks like from a different reality.

Civil Network OPORA initiated a working group on political financing. It included representatives of the National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption, the Central Election Commission, the National Police of Ukraine, and all-Ukrainian and international organizations.

On March 15-17, presidential “elections” are held in Russia. “Balloting” has been going on for three weeks in the occupied territories of Ukraine. The current “election campaign” in the TOT (temporarily occupied territories) is accompanied by the mobilization of the local population and the creation of a propaganda image of the people’s love for Putin. The key task of the Kremlin is a high turnout, which should prove high confidence not only in Putin, but also in Russia in general. So, the regime stretched the “balloting” over time and is conducting a large-scale campaign to “encourage” Ukrainians using coercion and intimidation. For example, special “mobile groups” visit every house, which makes it almost impossible to avoid participating in the “balloting” for locals who previously could simply not go to the polling station and thus express their protest against the occupation.

In order not to discredit the institution of democratic elections in the eyes of the entire civilized world, Civil Network OPORA calls on the President, the Verkhovna Rada, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, foreign countries and their election administration bodies, as well as international organizations, international election observation missions not to recognize the results of the non-democratic “elections of the President of Russia”, not to recognize the powers of the self-proclaimed head of state, not to participate in the observation and not to facilitate the opening of foreign polling stations.

At the same time, in the foreign information space and on various discussion platforms in democratic countries all over the world, messages are shared on a rolling basis, trying to pressure Ukraine to hold elections in conditions of war. This position is supported by the fact that Russia is holding its "elections." Therefore, we need to explain why the Russian elections have nothing to do with a genuine democratic vote, and therefore, they do not lead to the formation of legitimate authorities not only in the occupied territories but also throughout Russia. With this in view, we need to focus on three key points.

Civil Network OPORA jointly with International Center for Ukrainian Victory and mobile operator “Vodafone Ukraine” conducted a research study on “How the migration of Ukraine’s population was affected by Russian shelling attacks in October 2022 – January 2023”, the results of which were submitted to the International Criminal Court via the Prosecutor General’s office of Ukraine. The research findings offer illuminating insights into the scope and impact of Russian aggression on the territory of Ukraine.

We kindly invite you to the online expert discussion "Is the king naked? Presidential race in Russia - a question of legitimacy and international recognition" on 14 March 2024 at 4pm (CET).