Early returns in Russia’s parliamentary election show the main Kremlin party leading

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   United Russia party poised for landslide in Russian parliamentary vote

   United Russia is set to maintain control of the Russian parliament after a wartime election described as a test of support for the conflict in Ukraine. With more than 90 percent of votes counted, the ruling party appears poised for a landslide victory. The process concluded with polls closing across the country, including voting stations in the Russian-held Donetsk region where armed soldiers were present. Antiwar voices remained active despite the Russian government barring their party from participating in the election.

   Why it matters

   This is the first parliamentary election held during Russia's war in Ukraine. The outcome serves as a measure of domestic backing for Moscow's military actions. Analysts are now evaluating how these results will influence future foreign policy and the ongoing conflict.

   What is confirmed

   • United Russia is poised for a landslide win with more than 90 percent of votes counted.
   • The election took place during the war in Ukraine.
   • Polls have closed across Russia.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The vote was carefully orchestrated.
   • Voters in the Russian-held Donetsk region cast ballots under the gaze of armed Russian soldiers.
   • The Russian government barred an antiwar party from the election.

   What to watch next

   • Official certification of the final vote count
   • Analysis of the election's impact on Ukraine war strategy
   Sources used for this update (8)

   1. Reuters — Russian election, cast as test of support for Ukraine war, enters final day
   2. The New York Times — Russia Barred Their Party, but These Antiwar Voices Are Still Standing
   3. AP News — Russia wraps up first wartime parliamentary election with Kremlin dominance all but assured
   4. CNN — Polls close in Russian vote with a near-certain outcome
   5. Al Jazeera — Polls close in Russian wartime election with ruling party set to dominate
   6. www.aljazeera.com — Russia election results show Putin’s party winning: What we know
   7. www.pbs.org — Main Kremlin party keeps control of Russian parliament after a carefully orchestrated vote
   8. www.klcc.org — How Russia's parliamentary election might affect the war in Ukraine
   confidence 90%