Who Rules Russian-Occupied Ukraine in 2026?
The Russian Federation claims to have annexed five Ukrainian territories: the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, seized in March 2014, and the oblasts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, declared annexed on 30 September 2022 after sham referendums conducted at gunpoint. Not a single United Nations member state other than Russia, North Korea, Belarus, Syria, Nicaragua and five Pacific micro-states recognises any of these annexations. Ukraine, the UN General Assembly (by 143 votes to 5 in October 2022), the European Union, the G7, the African Union and most of the Global South consider all five territories part of Ukraine under occupation. As of April 2026 Russia controls roughly 85% of Luhansk, 65% of Donetsk, about 70% of Zaporizhzhia and roughly 65% of Kherson oblast, plus all of Crimea.
Russian-Appointed “Acting Heads”
Each territory has a Russian-appointed governor nominally elected under Russian federal law but widely described as an occupation administrator. The current office-holders:
Crimea (since 2014): Sergey Aksyonov, born 26 November 1972 in Bălți, Moldovan SSR. A former metals trader from Simferopol with an organised-crime nickname “Goblin,” he became “prime minister” during the 2014 Russian takeover and has held the renamed post of Head of the Republic of Crimea since October 2014. EU- and UK-sanctioned.
Sevastopol (since 2019): Mikhail Razvozhaev, a former deputy governor of Krasnoyarsk, became acting governor in 2019 and won a rigged “election” in September 2020.
Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR, since 2018): Denis Pushilin, born 9 May 1981 in Makiivka. Rose through the so-called MMM Ponzi-scheme franchise in the 2010s, became DPR “People’s Council” speaker in 2014 and acting head after the 2018 car-bombing of Alexander Zakharchenko. Formally confirmed as Head of the DPR in September 2022 elections organised under Russian rule.
Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR, since 2017): Leonid Pasechnik, former KGB/SBU officer, born 15 March 1970 in Voroshilovgrad (now Luhansk). Seized power from Igor Plotnitsky in November 2017 and has ruled ever since; acquired Russian citizenship in 2019.
Zaporizhzhia Oblast (since 2022): Yevgeny Balitsky, born 10 December 1969, a former member of the Ukrainian Rada from the Party of Regions. Welcomed Russian troops in March 2022 and was installed by Moscow; formally “elected” in September 2023.
Kherson Oblast (since 2022): Vladimir Saldo, born 12 June 1956 in Kherson. A former two-term mayor of Kherson (2002–2012) from the pro-Russian political establishment. Installed after Russian capture of the city in March 2022 and retained after the November 2022 Ukrainian liberation of Kherson city (Saldo now administers the Russian-controlled left bank from Henichesk).
The Ukrainian Constitutional Position
Under Ukrainian law — and under UN General Assembly Resolution ES-11/4 (12 October 2022) — all five territories remain integral parts of Ukraine. Ukraine’s internal administration designates Russian-appointed governors as “gauleiters” and refers to them as collaborators subject to Article 111 treason prosecutions. Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts retain their Ukrainian state administrations headed by Ivan Fedorov and Oleksandr Prokudin respectively; the Donetsk and Luhansk oblast state administrations (Vadym Filashkin and Artem Lysohor) operate from the government-controlled parts of each oblast.
Conditions in the Occupied Territories
The Russian occupation has involved the forced passportisation of residents (Russian passport or loss of access to schools, pensions and medical care), the forced deportation to Russia of an estimated 19,500 Ukrainian children per Ukrainian and US data, the closure of Ukrainian-language schools, and the confiscation of Ukrainian-owned businesses and real estate. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova in March 2023 for the unlawful deportation of children; a second warrant for ordering attacks on Ukraine’s civilian power grid followed in March 2024.
| Crimea | Sergey Aksyonov (since 2014) — EU/UK sanctioned |
|---|---|
| Sevastopol | Mikhail Razvozhaev (since 2019) |
| Donetsk Oblast (Russian DPR) | Denis Pushilin (since 2018) |
| Luhansk Oblast (Russian LPR) | Leonid Pasechnik (since 2017) |
| Zaporizhzhia Oblast (occupied part) | Yevgeny Balitsky (since 2022) |
| Kherson Oblast (occupied part) | Vladimir Saldo (since 2022) |
| Ukraine position | All five territories are Ukrainian under UN-recognised 1991 borders |
| UN vote on annexation (Oct 2022) | 143 against, 5 for, 35 abstentions |
Frequently asked questions
Does Russia control all of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson?
No. Russia claims all four oblasts in full but as of April 2026 controls roughly 85% of Luhansk, 65% of Donetsk, 70% of Zaporizhzhia and 65% of Kherson. The cities of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson remain under Ukrainian control. All of Crimea remains under Russian control.
Who are the Russian-appointed heads of the occupied territories?
Crimea: Sergey Aksyonov (since 2014). Sevastopol: Mikhail Razvozhaev. Donetsk: Denis Pushilin. Luhansk: Leonid Pasechnik. Zaporizhzhia: Yevgeny Balitsky. Kherson: Vladimir Saldo.
Does anyone recognise Russia’s annexation?
Only Russia itself, plus North Korea, Belarus, Syria, Nicaragua and five small Pacific states. The UN General Assembly rejected the annexations 143–5 in October 2022. The United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Japan and most of the Americas and Africa do not recognise them.
Why are there ICC warrants against Putin?
The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against President Vladimir Putin and Children’s Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova in March 2023 for the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children. A second warrant in March 2024 covers orders for attacks on Ukraine’s civilian electricity infrastructure.
What laws apply in the occupied territories?
Russia imposes Russian federal law and conducts compulsory passportisation. Ukrainian law remains in force under international recognition. Russian administrators run Russian curricula, levy Russian taxes, and confiscate businesses and real estate belonging to residents who refuse Russian citizenship.