The European Commission has criticized the ongoing State Duma elections in Russia, accusing the Russian authorities of "systematic and institutionalized pressures" aimed at preventing the democratic opposition. to participate in the elections, Bild reported. Voting is held on September 18-20. Many anti-war candidates were barred from running, and the Yabloko party, which advocates a ceasefire in Ukraine, was removed from the federal election. Brussels announced that they do not recognize either the holding of the vote or its results "in the territories of Ukraine occupied by Russia". Kyiv also called the elections organized there illegal and emphasized that they do not change Ukraine's internationally recognized borders.