KYIV — Deputies in Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada have intensified efforts to organize national elections despite the ongoing Russian invasion. According to sources within the parliament, political leaders have instructed regional branches to gear up for a presidential vote in autumn 2026, followed by parliamentary elections in spring 2027.

The planning includes detailed contingencies for conducting the ballots under active combat conditions. Officials are examining ways to proceed without ending martial law, a measure in place since Moscow’s full-scale assault began in February 2022. One lawmaker close to the discussions described the push as a signal of confidence in Ukraine’s resilience.

“We’re not waiting for victory to restore full democratic processes,” the source told reporters. Regional party structures received directives last week to begin logistical assessments, including voter registration and secure polling amid frontline disruptions. Security remains the top concern, with proposals for electronic voting in safer areas and hybrid models elsewhere.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose term technically expired in May 2024, has repeatedly stated that elections cannot occur under martial law or occupation. Constitutionally, the charter suspends polls during wartime. Yet, these preparations suggest a shift. Sources indicate discussions in closed-door Rada committees focus on legal amendments to enable voting, potentially via snap changes to election laws.

Political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko, from the Penta Center think tank, said such timelines align with battlefield dynamics. “Fall 2026 gives time for potential gains while keeping momentum,” he noted. Opposition figures, including Petro Poroshenko’s European Solidarity party, have called for swift polls to legitimize leadership.

Challenges loom large. Russian forces control about 20% of Ukrainian territory, per recent Institute for the Study of War maps. Air raid sirens, blackouts and displacement affect millions. A December 2024 Kyiv International Institute of Sociology survey found 63% of respondents favor elections as soon as feasible, though 81% insist on safety guarantees.

Western allies watch closely. U.S. officials have pledged over $175 billion in aid since 2022, tying some support to governance benchmarks. European Union partners, including Germany and Poland, urged electoral readiness during Zelenskyy’s recent Brussels visit. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte affirmed alliance backing for democratic processes in a speech last month.

Inside the Rada, factions from Servant of the People to Batkivshchyna are aligning on core dates. Fall 2026 targets October or November for the presidency, with spring 2027 eyeing March for parliament. Coordinators are mapping safe zones in western Ukraine, like Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk, as polling hubs. Military brass will vet procedures to counter sabotage risks.

This comes as Ukraine repels intensified Russian strikes. On February 20, 2025, Kyiv reported downing 78 drones overnight. Frontline advances near Pokrovsk and Kursk bolster optimism for stabilized conditions by late 2026. Economists warn inflation at 15% and a 30% GDP drop since 2022 could sway voter turnout.

Critics question feasibility. Nationalist lawmaker Oleh Matusevych argued rushed polls risk low legitimacy. “We need ironclad security first,” he posted on Telegram. International observers from the OSCE stand ready, contingent on access.

Rada Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk has not commented publicly. Spokespeople say no formal bills are tabled yet. Sources predict announcements by summer 2025, pending Zelenskyy’s nod. For now, Ukraine balances war and democracy on a knife’s edge.