As Russia prepares for its first wartime parliamentary elections since the escalation of hostilities in Ukraine, the emphasis has shifted towards demonstrating domestic support for its military actions. The Kremlin has framed this election as a critical test of confidence in President Vladimir Putin’s policies, amidst an environment marked by increased tensions and military engagement. With reports of significant unrest from Ukraine, the integrity and legality of the electoral process are under scrutiny, further complicating an already tense political landscape.
Polls closed in Russia’s first wartime parliamentary elections, with the ruling United Russia party on track for a decisive victory in a tightly controlled electoral environment. This election marks the first parliamentary vote since the onset of the intense military conflict with Ukraine in 2022, with the Kremlin aiming to project a façade of popular support for the war in order to legitimize its ongoing military actions.
In the lead-up to the voting, Russian government officials accused Ukraine of attempting to disrupt the electoral process. Kyiv launched drone attacks on Moscow and surrounding regions, characterized by the TASS state news agency as the largest offensive of its kind since the beginning of the war, resulting in civilian casualties. Specifically, at least five individuals were reported killed in such strikes, including an election official in the Russian-held area of Kherson. Despite these incidents, Russian authorities maintained that the electoral process proceeded primarily without major disruptions.
Preliminary results indicated a strong lead for the United Russia party, with a voter turnout of approximately 56.66 percent, according to the Central Election Commission. Formal results, along with updated turnout figures, are anticipated on Monday.
The elections extended their reach to residents in four Ukrainian regions that Russia has illegally annexed alongside Crimea, further complicating the situation. Ukraine condemned the voting in these territories as illegitimate and urged the international community to reject the results, which the European Union labeled a “flagrant violation of international law.”
Voters were presented with two ballots: one for political parties vying for half of the 450 available seats in the State Duma, and another for individual candidates in single-seat districts. United Russia is expected to once again secure its dominant position, with several smaller, Kremlin-aligned parties also poised to maintain representation.
State-controlled media played an extensive role throughout the election process, limiting meaningful opposition and securing the Kremlin’s grip on Russian politics amid growing economic challenges and the persistent threat of Ukrainian drone incursions. Notably, the liberal Yabloko party, recognized as the only faction critical of the war, was excluded from the ballot by a recent ruling from the Supreme Court. Other opposition figures have faced imprisonment or have been compelled to seek asylum abroad in the lead-up to these elections.
Despite requests for monitoring, Russia has not invited observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, accusing the body of operating under a double standard in its critical assessments of Russia’s actions.
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