The leadership of the Russian Federation is recruiting Russians from the territory of Russia itself for participation in sham elections in the occupied Ukrainian territories.

"Several scenarios are being considered, in particular, the scenario of postponement. But if we talk about the preparation and holding these sham elections, then the recruitment of Russian citizens from the territory of Russia itself to the occupied Ukrainian territories is currently underway. Because without the Russians, it will be impossible to hold these elections in the occupied territories under any circumstances," Andriy Yusov, a representative of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, said during the United News telethon, when asked about the preparation of Russian pseudo-elections in the occupied territories.

According to him, this is another evidence that the local population does not support the Russians.

As for the Russians who are being taken to the temporarily occupied territories for the elections, according to Yusov, there are thousands of them because the occupiers do not trust the local Ukrainian population, most of whom have absolutely no desire to join this sham.

According to the intelligence representative, forced passportization continues in the temporarily occupied territories and the deadlines were set again.

Yusov said that the local population did not accept the aggressor.

"There are no queues for obtaining Russian passports. There is, of course, data on the number of issued [Russian passports to Ukrainians in these territories]. They are carefully studied and appropriate measures and countermeasures are taken," he added.