Russia secures Duma majority as digital and resource instability grows

In Russia, the pro-Kremlin United Russia party secured a constitutional majority in the State Duma following parliamentary elections held on September 18–20. The party obtained 57.83% of the vote, securing approximately 355 of the 450 available seats. This victory provides Vladimir Putin with a mandate to frame the ongoing war in Ukraine as a policy supported by the population, despite reports of restricted political competition and the exclusion of anti-war candidates.

Domestically, Russian citizens are facing increasing instability. Recent polling indicates that two-thirds of respondents have encountered issues with mobile internet, messaging applications, or fuel supplies. Specifically, 32% of those surveyed reported that fuel shortages have significantly hindered daily life.

In Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reported an expansion of Russian attacks targeting data centers and internet service providers. These strikes aim to disrupt civilian connectivity, education, and work. A recent drone strike on a business center in Kyiv damaged a data center and resulted in four deaths. In Lutsk, infrastructure damage has also affected public transport information systems. Russia has defended these actions, claiming targeted data centers were being utilized by Ukrainian military intelligence.