President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the frontline eastern Donetsk region and met with soldiers.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had visited his war-torn country's frontline eastern Donetsk region, posting a video of himself meeting soldiers

The Russian authorities in the occupied parts of Ukraine are planning to hold sham elections there on 8-10 September – in parallel with the elections in Russia. Voting has already begun in Mariupol and parts of Zaporizhia Oblast.

Over 1,000 candidates have been identified, but there is a lack of qualified, experienced, and willing candidates according to some reports. There is also an absence of independent candidates that are not members of the Kremlin endorsed parties.

Kremlin polls indicate United Russia is predicted to gain 80 per cent of the vote in the four occupied regions.

United Russia party will likely command the majority of seats in an attempt to secure the Kremlin's hold and influence over the occupied regions.