Russia votes in parliamentary election as war in Ukraine drags on
United Russia is expected to keep its dominance as Kremlin critics are sidelined and voters cast ballots under tight wartime controls.
- On Friday, Russia began a three-day parliamentary election, the first since invading Ukraine, with candidates competing for 450 seats in the State Duma. The ruling United Russia party is widely expected to retain dominance.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin framed the vote as a barometer of support for the war, urging citizens to demonstrate national resolve. The Kremlin asserts national unity is vital to counter Ukrainian intelligence efforts to stir internal unrest.
- Most anti-war candidates were excluded after the Supreme Court ruled the liberal Yabloko party breached electoral rules. Moscow branch head Kirill Goncharov told NHK that Putin "fears anti-war groups," vowing to continue campaigning in district races.
- Officials will start counting ballots on Sunday, with initial results expected Monday. Political parties, including United Russia, have put forward more than 180 candidates who have served in Ukraine.
- Authorities are gauging societal war weariness as fuel shortages, high interest rates, and Western sanctions strain the economy. Opinion polls indicate some Russians have become more anxious about how the conflict affects them personally.
49 Articles
49 Articles
Inside Russia's 2026 parliamentary election: Banned opposition, rigging, and war
A parliamentary election kicked off in Russia on Sept. 18 in what is expected to be a rubber-stamp ritual intended to legitimize President Vladimir Putin's rule. The election will be held over several days and will be completed on Sept. 20. The voting is taking place amid growing frustration among Russians with the war as its costs mount, and Ukraine intensifies drone strikes on Russian territory. However, there is little opportunity for voters …
Drone Attacks Disrupt First Day of Voting in Southern Russia and Occupied Ukraine
Ukrainian drone strikes disrupted the work of election workers at polling stations in southern Russia and parts of occupied Ukraine, Russian authorities said Friday, the first day of a three-day voting period for parliamentary and regional races. “There are small incidents I can’t fail to mention,” Russia’s Central Election Commission (CEC) chief Ella Pamfilova told reporters during a morning press conference. “In the Krasnodar region, one polli…
The Independent
The Independent (US)Russia begins voting in first parliamentary election since Ukraine invasion
In the first parliamentary vote in time of war, the Russians went to boxes with almost no opposition, in guaranteed elections that perpetuate the dominance of the Kremlin and that are used to perfect and legitimize Ukraine ' s war.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 61% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
