Russia holds first parliamentary elections since start of Ukraine war FAST-MOVING

State Duma elections United Russia Vladimir Putin parliamentary elections Ukraine war

Russia has commenced a three-day parliamentary election to fill 450 seats in the State Duma, marking the first such vote since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The election includes voting in occupied Ukrainian territories, including Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson.

The governing United Russia party, which supports President Vladimir Putin and the ongoing military campaign, is widely expected to maintain its dominant position and potentially secure a two-thirds majority. The party's candidate list includes high-profile figures such as Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. The election features ten parties, but the liberal Yabloko party, the only major registered group openly critical of the war, has been excluded from the ballot by the Supreme Court.

Public sentiment appears divided or apathetic. According to the Levada research center, only 28% of citizens intended to participate, and 66% were unaware of the specific election dates. Critics argue the process lacks genuine democratic guarantees and serves as a referendum on the war rather than a competitive political contest.

Amid the voting period, security concerns remain high. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that over 350 Ukrainian drones targeted the Moscow region overnight, with 64 intercepted near the city.

Entities

Levada Center · Russia · Sergey Lavrov · State Duma · United Russia · Vladimir Putin · Yabloko

Claims

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

[● 5 SOURCES] The parliamentary election is being held to fill 450 seats in the State Duma. www.europafm.ro · natemat.pl · etv.me · lat.sputnikportal.rs · news.yam.md
[● 2 SOURCES] The Yabloko party was excluded from the election following alleged receipt of foreign funding. www.europafm.ro · etv.me
[● 3 SOURCES] Polling stations are opening in occupied Ukrainian territories, including Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia. www.europafm.ro · natemat.pl · lat.sputnikportal.rs
[● 2 SOURCES] Analysts suggest the ruling United Russia party faces no real competition in the election. www.europafm.ro · etv.me
[● 5 SOURCES] Voting began in the Far East regions, including Kamchatka and Chukotka. news.yam.md · www.kyivpost.com · tezadlar.az · ladiscussione.com · en.tempo.co
[● 9 SOURCES] President Vladimir Putin presented the vote as a barometer of public support for military actions in Ukraine. www.europafm.ro · notiziedi.it · dete.gr · megafon.si · etv.me · +4 more
[● 13 SOURCES] Voting is scheduled to take place over three days, from September 18 to September 20. www.europafm.ro · natemat.pl · news.yam.md · etv.me · lat.sputnikportal.rs · +8 more
[● 6 SOURCES] Ten political parties are participating in the electoral race. www.europafm.ro · natemat.pl · lat.sputnikportal.rs · dete.gr · insajder.net · +1 more
[● 2 SOURCES] 41% of those choosing to abstain believe their vote is entirely irrelevant to the final outcome. notiziedi.it · telegraph.md
[● 15 SOURCES] Russia is holding its first State Duma elections since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. www.europesays.com · etv.me · trinidadtribune.com · www.europafm.ro · news.yam.md · +9 more
[● 7 SOURCES] Voting is scheduled to take place in the Donbass, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia territories occupied by Russia. notiziedi.it · www.europafm.ro · dete.gr · antiguatribune.com · lat.sputnikportal.rs · +2 more
[● 12 SOURCES] The liberal Yabloko party was excluded from the election process. www.europesays.com · dete.gr · etv.me · insajder.net · tezadlar.az · +6 more