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Zelenskyy: How Can People Vote When Russia Launches 267 Drones in One Day?
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![Vlad Litnarovych]( "Vlad Litnarovych")
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the challenges of holding elections during wartime at the “Ukraine. Year 2025” forum, questioning the feasibility of organizing a democratic vote under current conditions on February 23.
He stressed that the ongoing Russian war against Ukraine creates insurmountable obstacles to a fair electoral process.
According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine cannot ensure legitimate elections while parts of the country remain under occupation and active combat continues.
“How will soldiers vote? They won’t. How can anyone vote when 267 drones were launched today alone? The Russians are completely deranged,” Zelenskyy said.
“Some of our international partners say they see signs that Russia wants to end the war. Really? The same Russia that just launched 267 drones?”
He raised further concerns about logistics and security.
“How will elections take place in Sumy or Kharkiv regions? What about Kupiansk, which is still under threat? And where will election observers go—to the trenches? To Kramatorsk? To Pokrovsk? How is that supposed to work?”
Zelenskyy also pointed out that Ukrainian law prohibits elections under martial law, which remains in effect due to the war.
“So what now? Should we just lift martial law while missiles are still falling? Let’s be honest—some people talk about elections without understanding the realities we face,” he stated.
Addressing the occupied territories, he emphasized another crucial issue: “People forget—what about those under occupation? How are they supposed to vote? We can’t even ensure their safety, let alone organize elections for them.”
Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine remains committed to democratic principles, but holding elections while under attack would not only be logistically impossible but also illegitimate.
“Democracy isn’t just about holding a vote—it’s about making sure it’s fair, safe, and that every citizen has a voice. Under current conditions, that’s simply not possible,” he concluded.
Earlier, Zelenskyy said that as long as Ukraine remains outside NATO, the country’s 800,000-strong army must receive external financial support.
