Ukraine condemns Russian plans for elections on occupied territory

Local residents stand near their apartment building and cars damaged during a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine December 8, 2023. REUTERS/Vyacheslav Madiyevskyy

KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine on Saturday strongly condemned Russian plans to hold presidential elections next spring on occupied territory, declaring them "null and void" and pledging to prosecute any observers sent to monitor them.

Russia's upper house set the country's presidential election this week for next March, and chairwoman Valentina Matviyenko said residents in four occupied Ukrainian regions would be able to vote for the first time.