United Russia projected to win tightly controlled parliamentary vote
Initial results put Vladimir Putin’s ruling party on 57.5 per cent as Ukraine launched a major drone attack on the final voting day.
Russia’s ruling United Russia party was projected to win the country’s parliamentary election, with initial official results putting it on 57.5 per cent of the vote, according to France 24 International.
The result was reported as Ukraine launched a major drone attack on Moscow and other regions during the third and final day of voting. Russian officials said three people were killed in the Moscow region and two more in the Russian-held part of Ukraine’s Kherson region.
A facility at a Moscow oil refinery was also reportedly damaged, with flames and heavy smoke visible. Russia’s Defence Ministry said it had downed nearly 2,000 Ukrainian drones and eight cruise missiles in 24 hours, and announced that strikes on Ukrainian military targets would intensify. The claims were not independently verified.
Election authorities said voting was largely unaffected by cyber attacks, with turnout approaching 57 per cent by early evening Moscow time. The final distribution of seats had not been established.
The election was tightly controlled, with most anti-war candidates barred from standing. Systemic opposition parties remained on the ballot, but critics questioned whether the vote offered meaningful competition or could provide an independent measure of support for President Vladimir Putin’s policies or the war.
Ukraine, which has suspended elections under martial law, dismissed Russia’s vote as a “pseudo election”. The Kremlin is expected to present the result as evidence of public backing, while the effect of opposition protest actions and reported war fatigue remained unclear.
