President Vladimir Putin told a televised meeting with senior officials on Wednesday that the recent parliamentary election demonstrated broad public support for the Kremlin’s agenda. He said the high number of voters “shows that the people of Russia support our efforts aimed at strengthening the country.”
Election results and turnout
With more than 97% of ballots counted after three days of voting, officials said United Russia is on track to win over three‑quarters of the 450 seats in the State Duma – a record high for the party. Preliminary figures indicate the party received just under 58% of the party‑list vote and captured 208 single‑seat contests, giving it an estimated 347‑355 seats.
Voter turnout was reported at just over 59% of the 111 million eligible voters, the highest for a Russian parliamentary election in more than a decade. Authorities spread voting over three days and allowed online voting in some regions to boost participation. The vote also included residents of four Ukrainian regions that Moscow annexed in 2022, as well as Crimea, which it annexed in 2014.
Security concerns during voting
The election took place amid ongoing Ukrainian drone attacks. Russia’s Defense Ministry said it shot down 1,110 drones overnight on Sunday. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that 450 drones were downed while heading toward the capital, describing the assault as the “largest ever” attempt to disrupt the vote. The attack damaged an oil refinery and a residential building, killing three people and injuring 38 in the wider Moscow region.
Putin condemned the attacks, saying they were attempts to intimidate voters and derail the election, but asserted that the lines at polling stations proved Russia would not be frightened.
Opposition and international reaction
The election featured limited genuine opposition. Smaller parties that align with the Kremlin filled most of the remaining seats, while a handful of independent candidates secured a few positions. The liberal Yabloko party, the only registered group openly critical of the war, was removed from the ballot by Russia’s Supreme Court and did not win any seats.
Ukraine’s government denounced the voting in the annexed territories as illegal, and international observers expressed concern over the lack of genuine competition and the inclusion of occupied regions.
Putin’s message to soldiers
Addressing Russian troops fighting in Ukraine, Putin said, “People trust you, they believe in our victory, believe in your courage, heroism and your devotion to the Motherland.” He added that he has no doubt the goals of the “special military operation” will be achieved.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
