Russian and Ukrainian forces continue to fight in various parts of Ukraine, and many civilians have fled the country. Cross-border attacks believed to be from the Ukrainian side continued on the 16th in Belgorod Oblast in western Russia.
It appears that exchanges of attacks by both sides are intensifying in the border area. The three-day voting period reached its final day on the 17th, and after closing at 3 a.m. Japan time on the 18th, votes were counted immediately.