A top official in the ruling United Russia party has arrived in occupied Donbas and openly stated that an “experiment is underway at uniting this territory with Russia”. Dmitry Sablin’s appearance at a conference for supporters of the party comes in the run-up to Russia’s parliamentary elections beginning on 17 September. Russia is intent on ensuring that those Ukrainians illegally issued with Russian passports in Donbas are seen both to be taking part in Russia’s elections and to support the ruling party associated with Russian President Vladimir Putin. While the propaganda element is important, Sablin is a member of the general council presidium of United Russia and his words should probably not be dismissed as mere election hype.
Russia's War Against Ukraine
OP-ED
Halya Coynash: Ruling party in Russia openly admits plan to annex Donbas
Russian soldiers block a road to Ukrainian military airport Belbek not far from Sevastopol, Crimea, on Feb. 28, 2014.
