Russia votes in parliamentary election amid war strains

Al Jazeera reports that Russians are heading to the polls to elect members of the State Duma and regional officials in the first parliamentary election since the invasion of Ukraine. The governing United Russia party is expected to maintain its dominant position, backed by prominent figures and members who support the war effort. Critics argue that the election lacks genuine opposition because the Supreme Court removed the anti-war Yabloko party from the ballot, though analysts note that other systemic opposition parties remain and minor parties are participating. Independent observers and analysts discuss the potential indicators of voter sentiment, including the race for second place and turnout amidst a slowing economy.

France 24 reports that polls have opened for Russia's three-day parliamentary election, which is taking place amid the ongoing war in Ukraine and economic strain from long-range drone strikes and fuel crises. The Kremlin-backed United Russia party is poised to keep its grip on power after the only anti-war party, Yabloko, was removed from the ballot by the Supreme Court and several dissidents were imprisoned or fled. Analysts state that the Kremlin views the election as a key effort to mobilize public support and legitimize the war, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claims a post-election mobilization could be considered, a claim dismissed by Putin.