Russians go to polls against backdrop of Ukraine war and Putin’s tightening grip

Live updates

1. 32d ago

   Russia's ruling party set to dominate elections amid Ukraine war

   Russia's parliamentary elections have concluded with the ruling United Russia party expected to dominate. President Vladimir Putin framed the vote as a measure of public support for the war in Ukraine. The elections took place against a backdrop of drone attacks on Moscow and with Putin's tightening grip on power.

   Why it matters

   The elections were seen as a test of public support for Putin's policies, including the war in Ukraine. The war has been a defining issue for Putin's presidency, and the elections were expected to show a high level of support for the government. The dominance of United Russia is likely to ensure that Putin's agenda, including the war in Ukraine, will face little opposition in the parliament.

   What is confirmed

   • President Vladimir Putin said high turnout in the parliamentary election showed that Russians support their armed forces fighting in Ukraine and the authorities' efforts to protect national security.
   • The ruling United Russia party is expected to dominate the parliamentary elections.
   • At least three people were killed in drone attacks on Moscow during the final day of voting.
   • 400 people were evacuated from a high-rise building in Moscow due to drone attacks.
   • Russia's parliamentary election was expected to preserve United Russia's dominance, with Communist, LDPR and smaller parties also contesting.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Anti-war Yabloko was removed from the party-list race.

   What to watch next

   • The official results of the parliamentary elections
   • The reaction of the international community to the elections and the ongoing war in Ukraine
   • The impact of the drone attacks on Moscow on the Russian government's policies
   Sources used for this update (11)

   1. www.foreignaffairs.com — A New Stage in Russia’s Confrontation With Ukraine—and the West
   2. carnegieendowment.org — How the Kremlin Achieved Its Latest Implausible Election ...
   3. www.wionews.com — Russia votes amid Ukraine war: Which are the main ... - WION
   4. www.irishtimes.com — Ukraine War News | Conflict Updates & Analysis | The Irish Times
   5. www.straitstimes.com — Putin says election turnout shows Russians support military ...
   6. timesofindia.indiatimes.com — Vladimir Putin: ‘People of Russia support our efforts’: Putin ...
   7. www.irishtimes.com — Russia - The Irish Times
   8. foreignpolicy.com — What Putin's Sham Elections Say About Russia - Foreign Policy
   9. www.africanews.com — Russia holds nationwide Duma elections as war in Ukraine ...
   10. www.dw.com — Latvians head to the polls with Russia on their minds - dw.com
   11. ecfr.eu — Bewitched sleep: Russians’ views on Ukraine and the world
   confidence 85%
2. 43d ago

   Russian Polls Close Amid Moscow Drone Strikes

   Russian parliamentary elections ended Sunday with the ruling party expected to dominate. President Vladimir Putin framed the vote as a measure of public support for the war in Ukraine. The final day of voting coincided with drone attacks on Moscow that damaged an oil refinery and forced the evacuation of 400 people from a high-rise building. While officials reported 1,600 intercepted drones, the strikes resulted in at least three deaths.

   Why it matters

   The Kremlin designed these elections to consolidate power and demonstrate domestic backing for the military campaign in Ukraine. This process occurs as the Russian government tightens internal control.

   What is confirmed

   • Drones targeted Moscow on the final day of the parliamentary election.
   • An oil refinery sustained damage during the drone attacks.
   • The evacuation of 400 people occurred after a drone hit a high-rise building.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Russian officials reported 1,600 total drones were intercepted during the attacks.
   • Ballistic missiles may have been used in the attacks.

   What to watch next

   • Official election results for the ruling party
   • Kremlin response to the drone strike casualties
   Sources used for this update (2)

   1. www.aljazeera.com — Polls close in Russian wartime election with ruling party set to dominate
   2. www.aol.co.uk — Ukraine targets Moscow with hundreds of drones on final day of Russian election
   confidence 90%
3. 44d ago

   Hundreds of Drones Target Moscow on Final Day of Russian Election

   Hundreds of drones targeted Moscow on Sunday, marking the final day of a three-day parliamentary election designed to cement the Kremlin's power and show backing for President Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine. Authorities accused Ukraine of attempting to disrupt the voting process. Officials reported that 1,600 total drones were intercepted during the attacks, which resulted in at least two deaths and damaged an oil refinery. A high-rise building was also struck by a drone, prompting the evacuation of 400 people on the concluding day of the stage-managed contest.

   Why it matters

   The parliamentary contest features no antiwar party on the ballot and no genuine opposition, offering voters few options while Putin tightens his grip on power. Observers remain divided on the vote, with some dismissing the process entirely as a sham while others view it as an opportunity to rally nationalism. The ongoing drone barrage from Ukraine directly targets the domestic political calendar, testing air defenses as the nation votes.

   What is confirmed

   • Hundreds of drones targeted Moscow on the final day of Russia's parliamentary election.
   • Authorities accused Ukraine of trying to disrupt the poll.
   • A total of 1,600 drones were intercepted by authorities.
   • At least two people were killed in the attacks.
   • An oil refinery was damaged during the drone strikes.
   • Authorities reported that 400 people were evacuated after a drone strike on a high-rise building.

   What to watch next

   • Official final turnout and election results released by Russian authorities
   • Further casualty and damage assessments from Moscow and the oil refinery
   Sources used for this update (2)

   1. www.theguardian.com — Hundreds of drones target Moscow on last day of voting in Russia’s parliamentary election
   2. www.irishtimes.com — Hundreds of drones target Moscow as two killed on final day of Russian election
   confidence 100%
4. 45d ago

   Russians Begin Three-Day Parliamentary Vote Amid Ukraine War

   Russians began voting Friday in a three-day parliamentary election designed to cement the Kremlin's power and show backing for President Vladimir Putin's grinding war in Ukraine. The contest features no antiwar party on the ballot and no genuine opposition, leaving empty podiums and offering voters few options. The stage-managed vote takes place as Ukraine fires a drone barrage against Russia. While some observers dismiss the process as a sham, others view it as an opportunity to strengthen nationalism under Putin's tightening grip.

   Why it matters

   This is the first State Duma parliamentary contest since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The election offers insight into public and Kremlin attitudes while state organizers utilize tactics like prizes for electronic voting to drive participation. Despite the lack of genuine competition, ordinary Russians express fear regarding what political and economic conditions could follow the election.

   What is confirmed

   • Russians began voting Friday in a three-day parliamentary election.
   • This is the first parliamentary contest in Russia since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
   • There is no antiwar party on the ballot for the parliamentary vote.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Some voters and outside observers view the parliamentary election as a complete sham.
   • Other individuals view the voting process as an opportunity to strengthen nationalism.
   • Russians fear what political or social consequences could follow the election.

   What to watch next

   • The final official results of the three-day parliamentary election and reported turnout numbers.
   • Further developments in the ongoing drone barrage launched by Ukraine during the voting period.
   Sources used for this update (17)

   1. mynews13.com — Central Florida polls open for the state's primary election
   2. The New York Times — The Election May Be a Snoozefest, but Russians Fear What Could Follow
   3. Institute for the Study of War — Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, September 16, 2026
   4. AP News — Here’s what to know about Russia’s parliamentary vote and its main parties
   5. The Guardian — Russians go to polls against backdrop of Ukraine war and Putin’s tightening grip
   6. Yahoo — Russia holds parliamentary election in shadow of war against Ukraine
   7. The New York Times — Why Russia Holds Elections, and How the Kremlin Gets the Results It Wants
   8. The Economist — Russia’s staged vote
   9. Al Jazeera — Russia’s parliamentary election: Who’s on the ballot, and why it matters
   10. The New York Times — Opinion | This Is How Putin Took Total Control
   11. CNN — Empty podiums, prizes for e-voting, no opposition: Russians head to the polls amid intensifying war in Ukraine
   12. The Hill — Russians begin 3 days of voting in a parliamentary election set to cement the Kremlin’s power
   confidence 100%