Freedom in the World reports assess the level of political rights and civil liberties in a given geographical area, regardless of whether they are affected by the state, nonstate actors, or foreign powers. Related, disputed, or occupied territories are sometimes assessed separately if they meet certain criteria, including distinct conditions for political rights and civil liberties and boundaries that are sufficiently stable to allow year-on-year comparisons. For more information, see the report methodology and FAQ.

Russian military forces as of 2025 controlled most or all of the Ukrainian regions of Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk, and large parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Following illegal invasions in 2014 and 2022, these regions were forcibly annexed by the Russian Federation and subjected to its repressive legislation, in contravention of international law. The occupation authorities severely limit political rights, have silenced independent media, and employ antiterrorism and other laws against political dissidents. The rule of law and civil liberties are not respected. Members of an Indigenous minority group, the Crimean Tatars, many of whom vocally opposed the Russian occupation, have faced especially acute repression by the authorities. Ukrainian citizens have been compelled to adopt Russian passports, and those who refuse may be denied basic services or subjected to physical assaults and intimidation, confiscation of property, and expulsion from the occupied regions.

• Russia held tightly controlled elections in a number of regions and municipalities in September, and some of the occupied Ukrainian territories were affected. Ukrainian parties remained banned, and only candidates who supported the occupation were allowed to participate in practice. According to official results, the incumbent Russian governor of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev of the ruling United Russia party, was reelected with nearly 82 percent of the vote. By-elections were also held for the city councils of Sevastopol and Simferopol.
• Russian occupation authorities continued to persecute and imprison independent journalists, members of religious minority groups, and residents who expressed dissent. More than two dozen journalists from the occupied territories were behind bars as of 2025, including 17 from Crimea. Jehovah’s Witnesses, whose faith is outlawed in Russia, and Crimean Tatar Muslims, who are often accused of terrorism or extremism-related offenses, faced additional detentions and prison sentences without due process during the year. Separately, numerous social media users and other residents were subjected to administrative penalties, such as short detentions and fines, for allegedly “discrediting the Russian army”; in Crimea alone, the Crimean Human Rights Group had recorded at least 1,510 such cases since 2022.
• As part of Moscow’s ongoing effort to force residents to accept Russian citizenship, the Russian president issued a decree in March that set a September deadline for those in the occupied territories to obtain Russian passports, legalize their status by other means, or face possible deportation.

This report has been abridged for Freedom in the World 2026 due to ongoing budget constraints. Freedom in the World is entirely funded by nongovernmental sources such as private foundations, corporations, and individuals like you. Please consider making a donation to support future editions of this vital resource.

For additional background information, see the reports from the 2024 and 2025 editions of Freedom in the World.