Putin casts parliamentary election as barometer of support for war, urges Russians to vote
- Russia began its first wartime parliamentary election on Friday in the Far East, with authorities removing Yabloko, the only party openly criticizing the war, from the ballot entirely.
- The Supreme Court removed Yabloko following an appeal from the nationalist Motherland party; authorities then methodically barred individual members from running in most single-constituency races for the Duma.
- Summer drone strikes on oil refineries and logistical facilities exacerbated economic stagnation, sparking widespread fuel shortages and dampening public morale despite initial boosts from massive military spending.
- United Russia, controlling over two-thirds of State Duma seats, is poised to maintain dominance as analysts describe the election as "legitimating rituals to give the impression that mass consensus is behind the Kremlin."
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claims the Kremlin is preparing a post-election mobilization, though Putin dismissed these reports as "nonsense" during recent talks with U.S. envoys.
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207 Articles
The Russians vote from 18 to 20 September to renew the Parliament. If Vladimir Putin's party's victory is no doubt, the authorities have for a long time changed its proportions, before opting for 47% of the vote. In the spring, the figure had risen to 55%.
leprogres.fr
As a result of a victory in a closed election, the Kremlin sees in the general elections - which take place from this sale 18 to 20 September - a way to legitimize its policy and absolutely wants to avoid that it serves as a resonant to the anti-war feeling that is growing among the Russians.
Good morning, today is Friday, September 18, 2026. Here are the most important news to start the day.
Empty podiums, prizes for e-voting, no opposition: Russians head to the polls amid intensifying war in Ukraine
By Zahra Ullah, CNN Moscow (CNN) — “The candidates have not shown up at our studio, so I’ll say goodbye for now.” Elizaveta Dorokhina, a Russia-1 state TV anchor, told viewers, with three empty podiums visible either side of her in the studio. The broadcast switched to a commercial break. All six registered candidates in
The Russian voters begin to go to the polls this Friday in the first legislative elections since the beginning of Ukraine's invasion four and a half years ago, marked by the impact of the war and the lack of tolerance of Vladimir Putin's government with last-minute surprises. In parallel with the public dissatisfaction with the country's inflation, sanctions and isolation, the Kremlin has tightened the siege against potential internal threats.
Candidates from the anti-war Yabloko can only participate in the elections on the independent list.
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