Russia apparently wants to stage elections in the Ukrainian territories annexed in violation of international law. President Vladimir Putin signed a law to this effect on Monday.
Martial law is currently in place in parts of the four affected regions. Putin declared the occupied territories to be part of Russia last September, even though there is no basis under international law and Moscow's troops control only parts of these areas at all. The announcement shows that President Putin would like to give a semblance of legitimacy to his actions in Ukraine.