United Russia wins major Duma majority amid EU condemnation

Russian State Duma elections United Russia victory EU sanctions Transnistria sovereignty democratic erosion

Russia's ruling United Russia party secured a significant victory in the State Duma elections held from September 18 to 20, 2026. Preliminary results indicate the party will hold approximately 355 of the 450 seats, granting it a constitutional two-thirds majority.

The European Union, represented by High Representative Kaja Kallas, condemned the elections as a “facade of democracy” and a sign of deepening authoritarianism. The EU criticized the exclusion of the Yabloko party—the only major opposition force with an anti-war platform—and noted that Russia failed to invite OSCE observers, undermining transparency. Furthermore, the EU refuses to recognize the validity of elections held in occupied Ukrainian territories, including Crimea and parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, and has announced sanctions against those involved in organizing these votes.

In Moldova, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Russia for organizing elections in the Transnistrian region without Chișinău's consent. Moldova maintains that these proceedings have no legal effect and do not alter the region's status as an integral part of the country, characterizing the move as a violation of national sovereignty and international law.

Entities

European Union · Kaja Kallas · Kremlin · OSCE · Republic of Moldova · Russian Federation · State Duma · United Russia · Yabloko

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 12 SOURCES] The EU refuses to recognize the Russian State Duma elections held in occupied Ukrainian territories. politik.md · www.agenpress.it · moldova1.md · www.upday.com · www.finanznachrichten.de · +7 more
[● 3 SOURCES] Moldova accuses Russia of violating its sovereignty by organizing elections in the Transnistrian region without Chișinău's consent. ziar.md · www.ziarulnational.md · radiomoldova.md
[● 11 SOURCES] Russia did not invite OSCE observers to monitor the elections, which the EU cited as a lack of transparency. politik.md · www.agenpress.it · moldova1.md · www.upday.com · www.finanznachrichten.de · +6 more
[● 3 SOURCES] Elections held in Transnistria by Russia have no legal effect and do not change the region's status as part of Moldova. ziar.md · www.ziarulnational.md · radiomoldova.md
[● 11 SOURCES] The EU is planning sanctions against individuals involved in organizing or campaigning in the elections within occupied Ukrainian territories. politik.md · www.agenpress.it · moldova1.md · www.upday.com · www.finanznachrichten.de · +6 more
[● 13 SOURCES] The Russian State Duma elections took place between September 18 and September 20, 2026. ziar.md · www.ziarulnational.md · politik.md · www.agenpress.it · moldova1.md · +7 more
[● 13 SOURCES] The EU criticized the exclusion of the Yabloko party, an opposition group against the war in Ukraine, from the election process. politik.md · www.agenpress.it · moldova1.md · www.upday.com · www.finanznachrichten.de · +8 more
[● 3 SOURCES] United Russia is expected to secure 355 of the 450 seats in the Duma. eveildesnations.info · www.romania-actualitati.ro · lequotidien.lu