Russian drone strikes injure five in Kyiv region as Duma election opens
The attacks coincided with the start of Russia’s first parliamentary vote since the war began, a process widely viewed as a barometer for public sentiment on the conflict.
At least five people, including three children, were injured on Friday following Russian drone strikes on the Kyiv region. Regional Governor Tymur Tkachenko confirmed the casualties via Telegram, noting that the attacks occurred around the Ukrainian capital. The timing of the strikes was significant, as they coincided with the opening of polling stations in Russia for its first parliamentary election since the start of the war in Ukraine.
The vote to renew the 450 seats in the Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament, runs until 18:00 GMT on Sunday. Polling stations opened early Friday in Russia’s Far East, kicking off a three-day election. President Vladimir Putin, who has ruled Russia since 1999, and his United Russia party have dominated politics since the early 2000s. While few doubt the party will secure victory, the election serves as a barometer for public feelings on a war that has killed hundreds of thousands and undermined daily life in Russia.
Moscow has banned criticism of its Ukraine campaign and organised voting in occupied territories. Only parties that support the Kremlin’s military campaign have been registered to run, leading to an outcome that is tightly controlled and brings few surprises. The conflict, which began when Moscow sent troops to Ukraine in February 2022, continues to shape the political landscape in both nations.
In Moscow, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that more than 350 Ukrainian UAVs targeted the Moscow region between 17:00 GMT on 17 September and 07:00 GMT on 18 September. He stated that most were destroyed at the outer defensive perimeter, with 64 UAVs intercepted while approaching the city. This exchange of fire highlights the continued intensity of the conflict even as domestic political processes proceed.
Elsewhere in Ukraine, Russian drones struck Nova Poshta’s logistics hub near the Black Sea port city of Odesa and a cargo vessel in the nearby port of Chornomorsk. The Russian defence ministry cited the use of both locations for military purposes. These strikes add to the pressure on Ukrainian infrastructure and logistics networks during the ongoing conflict.
Amidst these developments, President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed Anton Kovalskyi as Ukraine’s acting prosecutor general. In the United States, the House of Representatives passed a broad package of sanctions targeting Russian officials and key pillars of its economy. Lawmakers aim to deprive President Putin of the financial resources needed to wage the war, adding an economic dimension to the geopolitical standoff.
