Ukraine has condemned Russia's intention to hold presidential elections in occupied Ukrainian regions, declaring the act illegal and warning of criminal charges for international observers.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry labeled the planned March 17 presidential elections in occupied territories as 'null and void', threatening legal actions against international election monitors. Russia aims to include annexed regions such as Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Crimea in its 2024 presidential elections where Putin is likely to win. The move follows previous local elections in these regions, which were denounced by Kyiv and the international community.