Ruling party dominates early results in Russia’s wartime parliamentary vote

Live updates

1. 1d ago

   United Russia wins record majority in Russian wartime parliamentary vote

   The ruling United Russia party secured a record 355 of 450 seats in the State Duma, according to the Central Election Commission. Near-complete results show the pro-Putin party won over 57% of the vote. This outcome ensures the Kremlin maintains control of the parliament during the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. The vote was cast as a test of domestic support for the war, though critics describe the process as carefully orchestrated political theatre.

   Why it matters

   This is Russia's first parliamentary election held during the war in Ukraine. The Kremlin intends to use the results to portray broad public endorsement of its military campaign. Kyiv has specifically denounced Moscow for including annexed regions in the voting process.

   What is confirmed

   • United Russia won 355 of the 450 seats in the State Duma.
   • Near-complete results show the ruling party won over 57% of the vote.
   • The election took place during the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
   • The ruling party has dominated the parliament for 25 years.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Ukraine carried out attacks on election day.
   • Russia will seek revenge for election-day attacks.

   What to watch next

   • Official certification of the final vote totals by the Central Election Commission
   • Kremlin announcements regarding new legislative priorities based on the record majority
   Sources used for this update (16)

   1. theguardian.com — Ukraine war briefing: Kyiv denounces Russia’s inclusion of annexed regions in parliamentary elections
   2. Al Jazeera — Russia’s elections are more than political theatre
   3. Reuters — Russian election, cast as test of support for Ukraine war, enters final day
   4. The New York Times — Russia Barred Their Party, but These Antiwar Voices Are Still Standing
   5. AP News — Russia wraps up first wartime parliamentary election with Kremlin dominance all but assured
   6. CNN — Polls close in Russian vote with a near-certain outcome
   7. Al Jazeera — Polls close in Russian wartime election with ruling party set to dominate
   8. BBC — Russia's elections had few surprises - but how the Kremlin uses the results is far from clear
   9. Sky News — Ukraine war latest: Convincing win for Putin expected in Russian parliamentary election
   10. The Hill — Main Kremlin party keeps control of Russia’s parliament after a carefully orchestrated vote
   11. Reuters — Russia's ruling pro-Putin party wins wartime election with over 57% of vote, near complete results show
   12. Al Jazeera — Russia election results show Putin’s party winning: What we know
   confidence 95%