Russian propaganda staged a show during the sham elections in Henichesk

In the occupied city of Henichesk in the Kherson region, Russian invaders turned a polling station into a staged celebration featuring Soviet songs and lemonade. This is their attempt to create the illusion of support for the sham elections to the Russian State Duma.

This was reported by the Center for Countering Disinformation.

The polling station was decorated in the style of the 1960s. Soviet music was played for visitors, and a refreshment stand offering “Duchess” lemonade was set up. According to the occupiers’ plan, this nostalgic atmosphere is intended to pique people’s interest and encourage them to vote.

<picture></picture>PHOTO: Center for Countering Disinformation

At the same time, Russian propaganda media are spreading stories about allegedly long lines and excitement at polling stations in the occupied cities. In the footage, election commission members are wearing ribbons in the colors of the Russian flag to make the illegal process look like a patriotic event.

Polling stations have also been opened in frontline areas. The Center for Countering Disinformation noted that the occupying authorities are endangering civilians for the sake of propaganda videos.

According to the Center’s assessment, the main goal of the information campaign is to create a false impression of alleged mass support for Russia among the population of the temporarily occupied territories. The Kremlin uses this narrative to justify its aggression and occupation of Ukrainian lands.

On September 18, a three-day voting period began in Russia for the State Duma elections, which will last until September 20. This year, Moscow also organized voting in the temporarily occupied territories of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions.

Ukraine considers such actions illegal. Back in August, the Central Election Commission stated that holding Russian “elections” in the occupied Ukrainian territories has no legitimacy.

As previously reported by Intent, intelligence agencies warned of potential terrorist attacks by Russia in the temporarily occupied territories of the Kherson region during the “elections.”<span>     </span>

Ірина Глухова