Russians go to polls with no party against Putin or war in Ukraine

Live updates

1. 38d ago

   Vucic congratulates Putin after State Duma elections

   Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic congratulated Vladimir Putin on successful State Duma elections. During their discussions, the two leaders addressed the conflict in Ukraine and the situation in the Balkans. Vucic thanked Russia for providing comprehensive assistance to Serbia, specifically regarding efforts to fight forest fires. This diplomatic exchange follows a tightly managed electoral process in Russia that lacks parties opposing Putin or the war in Ukraine, further consolidating the Kremlin's legislative control.

   Why it matters

   The Russian parliamentary elections serve as a measure of domestic support for the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Maintaining ties with Balkan leaders like Vucic helps Moscow sustain influence in Europe despite Western sanctions.

   What is confirmed

   • President Aleksandar Vucic congratulated Vladimir Putin on the State Duma elections.
   • Vucic and Putin discussed the conflict in Ukraine and the situation in the Balkans.
   • The Kremlin reported that Vucic thanked Russia for help fighting forest fires in Serbia.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Kaliningrad is increasingly vulnerable as a fortress enclave in Nato territory.
   • President Vucic is preparing for an early parliamentary election.

   What to watch next

   • Results of the APEC summit on November 18-19 in Shenzhen.
   • Outcome of the proposed meeting between Putin, Trump, and Xi.
   Sources used for this update (6)

   1. tass.com — Putin, Vucic discuss Ukrainian conflict, situation in Balkans
   2. tass.com — Vucic congratulates Putin on successful elections to State Duma
   3. inews.co.uk — Russia’s tiny outpost in Europe could be Putin’s greatest weakness
   4. fakti.bg — Who will prevail in the battle for "Dondukov" 2
   5. english.elpais.com — Trump’s plan to ban diesel exports aggravates Europe and Latin America’s energy crisis
   6. www.swissinfo.ch — Swiss vote on how neutrality should be understood
   confidence 90%
2. 40d ago

   Putin Says Parliamentary Election Shows Public Support

   President Vladimir Putin asserts that Russia's first wartime parliamentary election demonstrates public backing for his policies. The vote strengthens the Kremlin's legislative control following a tightly managed electoral process. Meanwhile, a Russian presidential envoy recently met with Witkoff and Kushner to discuss US-Russia cooperation and a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. Separately, Russian diplomats indicate that Vladimir Putin is expected to lead the Russian delegation at the APEC summit scheduled for November 18-19 in Shenzhen, where Moscow would welcome a meeting involving Putin, Trump, and Xi.

   Why it matters

   The recent parliamentary vote solidifies domestic backing for the Kremlin amid ongoing military operations in Ukraine. Diplomatic channels remain active behind the scenes, with discussions touching on potential high-level international meetings and conflict resolution. These political developments run parallel to European intelligence warnings regarding potential covert security threats from Moscow.

   What is confirmed

   • President Vladimir Putin says Russia's first wartime parliamentary election was a sign of public support for his policies.
   • Vladimir Putin is expected to lead the Russian delegation at the APEC summit in Shenzhen.

   Still unconfirmed

   • A Russian president's envoy met with Witkoff and Kushner to discuss US-Russia cooperation and a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.

   What to watch next

   • Developments regarding the APEC summit in Shenzhen on November 18-19.
   • Further diplomatic contacts between Russian envoys and US representatives.
   Sources used for this update (7)

   1. www.newsday.com — Russia's parliamentary election result underscores public support for Kremlin policies, Putin says
   2. economictimes.indiatimes.com — Live Updates: Trump welcomes Xi to Washington after ornate welcome
   3. timesofindia.indiatimes.com — Breaking news live updates, September 24: Russia pounds Kyiv with drones, killing 2 and wounding 41 before Zelenskyy’s UN address
   4. www.thebulwark.com — Trump Kowtows to China
   5. ua.news — Petro Poroshenko: 10 Iconic Quotes from Ukraine's Fifth President
   6. tass.com — Russia would welcome Putin-Trump-Xi meeting in China — diplomat
   7. tass.com — Russian president’s envoy meets with Witkoff, Kushner — CNN
   confidence 85%
3. 42d ago

   Kremlin Party Retains Control of Parliament After Orchestrated Vote

   The ruling United Russia party has maintained its control over the Russian parliament following a carefully orchestrated election. Projected to secure a record majority, the outcome reinforces President Vladimir Putin's authority and provides the Kremlin with a result it can present as backing for the war in Ukraine. Voting took place across the country, including inside Russian-held areas of the Donetsk region where armed soldiers monitored polling stations. Meanwhile, European intelligence chiefs warn that Moscow's growing risk appetite points to preparations for testing NATO limits through covert attacks.

   Why it matters

   The parliamentary vote concluded after a massive drone attack on Moscow that authorities claimed was launched by Ukraine. European officials are increasingly concerned that Russian aggression will extend beyond Ukraine as sabotage operations target nations supporting Kyiv.

   What is confirmed

   • The main Kremlin party kept control of the Russian parliament following a carefully orchestrated vote.
   • United Russia's projected record majority reinforces President Vladimir Putin's control over parliament.
   • Voters at a polling station in the Russian-held part of the Donetsk region dropped ballots under the gaze of an armed Russian soldier.

   Still unconfirmed

   • European intelligence chiefs warn that Russia is preparing to test NATO's limits as sabotage and covert attacks target countries supporting Ukraine.

   What to watch next

   • Official final tallies of the United Russia parliamentary majority
   • Further European intelligence disclosures regarding potential tests of NATO limits
   • Developments regarding covert attacks and sabotage targeting nations supporting Ukraine
   Sources used for this update (3)

   1. time.com — What Russia’s Parliamentary Election Results Mean for Putin and the War
   2. www.pbs.org — Main Kremlin party keeps control of Russian parliament after a carefully orchestrated vote
   3. www.theguardian.com — Tuesday briefing: Europe thinks Russia is preparing to test Nato’s limits
   confidence 100%
4. 44d ago

   Drones target Moscow as Russian parliamentary polls close

   Russian parliamentary voting concluded on 20 September amid a massive drone attack on Moscow. Authorities report intercepting 1,600 drones, which they claim Ukraine launched to disrupt the election. The attack killed at least two people and damaged an oil refinery. President Vladimir Putin framed the election as a test of support for the war in Ukraine, while the ruling United Russia party is expected to dominate the results due to a lack of viable opposition parties.

   Why it matters

   The Kremlin uses these elections to cement power and gauge domestic approval for its military campaign. Previous reports highlighted tight state control, electronic voting incentives, and the arrest of election observers.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Ukraine used FP-7 Pelican ground-launched ballistic missiles developed by Fire Point in the Moscow attack.
   • Russian authorities intercepted 1,600 drones during the final day of voting.
   • At least two people died and an oil refinery was damaged in the Moscow drone strikes.

   What to watch next

   • Official vote tallies for the United Russia party
   • Russian government response to the Moscow drone attacks
   • International observer reports on election irregularities
   Sources used for this update (5)

   1. www.theguardian.com — Hundreds of drones target Moscow on last day of voting in Russia’s parliamentary election
   2. www.usatoday.com — Pro-Putin party looks to win Russian election without real opposition
   3. www.dailymail.com — Ukraine fires new homemade Pelican ballistic missile in largest attack on Moscow yet - as fears grow across Europe that Putin is preparing to attack
   4. www.nine.com.au — US Politics Live updates: ‘Do I annihilate them?’: Trump weighs ending Iran war with one major strike
   5. www.aljazeera.com — Polls close in Russian wartime election with ruling party set to dominate
   confidence 70%
5. 45d ago

   Russia holds parliamentary elections amid Ukraine war and opposition crackdown

   Russia has begun three days of parliamentary voting characterized by a lack of opposition parties opposing Vladimir Putin or the war in Ukraine. The Kremlin views the election as a gauge of support for its military campaign and a means to cement power. While a victory for the ruling United Russia party is considered certain, the process includes incentives for electronic voting and tight state control. International observers and opposition groups have reported restrictions on monitoring and the arrest of election observers.

   Why it matters

   The State Duma elections serve as a mechanism for the Kremlin to maintain political legitimacy and gather feedback. These polls occur as Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine and tightens internal political control. The outcome is widely expected to maintain the current power structure.

   What is confirmed

   • Russia is conducting parliamentary elections over a three-day period.
   • No political parties running in the election oppose Vladimir Putin or the war in Ukraine.
   • The ruling United Russia party is widely expected to win.
   • The Kremlin views the election as a measure of support for the war in Ukraine.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Photography and video recording were banned during elections in Crimea.

   What to watch next

   • Official vote tallies for the State Duma
   • Reports of widespread electoral fraud or observer arrests
   • International reactions to the final results
   Sources used for this update (17)

   1. The Guardian — Russians go to polls against backdrop of Ukraine war and Putin’s tightening grip
   2. CNN — Empty podiums, prizes for e-voting, no opposition: Russians head to the polls amid intensifying war in Ukraine
   3. The New York Times — Why Autocrats Care What People Think
   4. Euronews.com — Russians go to polls with no party against Putin or war in Ukraine
   5. Reuters — Russians vote in election that Putin sees as gauge of support for his war
   6. NBC News — Russians vote in a Kremlin-controlled election stalked by unease over Putin’s Ukraine war
   7. Yahoo — Russians begin 3 days of voting in a parliamentary election set to cement the Kremlin's power
   8. Yahoo — Putin will have Trump to thank for election victory in Russia’s rubber-stamp parliament
   9. Foreign Policy — Russia’s Parliamentary Elections Offer Rituals, Not Results
   10. Meduza — Moscow’s electronic voting system reportedly checks users for active VPNs. The check doesn’t block voting, and the site’s code doesn’t reveal why the data is collected.
   11. Інтент — Photography and video recording were banned during the sham elections in Crimea
   12. The International Foundation for Electoral Systems: IFES — IFES Condemns Russian Sham Elections on Occupied Ukrainian Territory
   confidence 90%