Russia's elections had few surprises

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Pro-Putin Party Secures Record Parliamentary Majority

   Russia has concluded its first wartime parliamentary election, with President Vladimir Putin's ruling United Russia party securing a record number of seats and tightening its grip on the national parliament. Near-complete official results show the pro-Putin party captured 355 parliamentary seats and 58 percent of the vote, increasing its existing supermajority despite growing tensions over the conflict in Ukraine. While the outcome held few surprises and Kremlin dominance was all but assured, the campaign was billed as a referendum on the war and featured the inclusion of Russian-occupied regions in Ukraine, prompting swift denunciations from Kyiv.

   Why it matters

   The parliamentary vote served as an important domestic test of support for military operations in Ukraine. Although the ruling party maintained firm control of the Duma, the campaign exposed underlying public ambivalence regarding the ongoing war, particularly within Russian-occupied territories. How the Kremlin decides to utilize these election results remains unclear as broader geopolitical pressures mount.

   What is confirmed

   • The pro-Putin ruling United Russia party secured 58 percent of the vote and a record 355 parliamentary seats.
   • Kyiv denounced Russia's inclusion of annexed regions in the parliamentary elections.
   • The anti-war party Yabloko won a seat in the election.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Europe thinks Russia is preparing to test NATO limits through growing covert attacks and sabotage targeting countries supporting Ukraine.

   What to watch next

   • How the Kremlin chooses to use the expanded parliamentary supermajority and election results.
   • Potential policy shifts regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine following the electoral test of support.
   Sources used for this update (14)

   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. theconversation.com — No surprise as Putin’s party wins election billed as ‘referendum’ on war in Ukraine
   10. www.theguardian.com — Tuesday briefing: Europe thinks Russia is preparing to test Nato’s limits
   11. timesofindia.indiatimes.com — Pro-Putin party wins big, sweeps Russian elections
   12. www.sbs.com.au — How Russia's most consequential election in years handed Putin even more power
   confidence 95%