Yes, there were elections where at most only 18M people voted, compared to the 24M people that voted when the pro-Russian candidate won, in 2010. Because there were almost no ballot station in those regions leaning more towards Russia. Yet the government didn't think that was a problem at all; in fact, it was good for them (imagine if Trump could just make that people in some blue states couldn't vote). All this in a climate with banned parties and where all the media was controlled by the "Maidan" parties.

So it doesn't look the situation in Ukraine was very democratic either.

I.e. the closest country with some international weight that would give him refuge.

But interesting take. So, if Zelenskyy at some point is forced to flee to Poland, is that a proof that he was a Polish puppet all along?