Moscow stages local elections in occupied parts of Ukraine

FILE PHOTO: A view shows banners reading "Let's revive Donbas together!" and "Vote for Donbas!" installed for the upcoming regional elections planned by the Russian-installed authorities, in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict in Donetsk, Russian-controlled Ukraine, August 12, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko/File Photo

(Reuters) - Russian-installed authorities began holding regional elections on Thursday in parts of Ukraine Russia claimed as its own last year, seeking to cement Moscow's authority in what it calls its "new territories" despite the ongoing conflict.

Russia does not fully control any of the four regions where the votes are being held - Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. Along with Crimea - annexed by Moscow in 2014 - they make up almost a fifth of Ukraine.