Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) identified 15 collaborators preparing sham local elections in Russian-occupied Luhansk Oblast, with plans to hold illegal voting in September 2023 to elect "MPs" to the pseudo-parliament of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic.

The SBU identified 15 collaborators preparing sham elections in occupied Luhansk Oblast.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said on Aug. 14 that investigators had established the identities of 15 people directly involved in collaborating with the occupying authorities to organize sham elections in Russian-occupied Luhansk Oblast.

Criminal proceedings of the group have already begun.

The crime of collaborative activity carries a sentence of up to 15 years in prison.

The occupying forces plan to hold the fake elections at a local and regional level for Russia's proxies in Luhansk in September 2023.

The 15 people are setting up polling stations, disseminating propaganda in support of the illegal elections, and have formed fake election commissions which will be used to falsify voter turnout and election results.