Russia’s ruling party, United Russia, has announced its lead candidates for the upcoming parliamentary election in September. The list includes a Ukraine war veteran, Vladislav Golovin, and a state television war correspondent, Yevgeny Poddubny.

Lead Candidates Announced

Speaking at the party’s pre-election congress, party chairman and former president Dmitry Medvedev said that Golovin and Poddubny would head the party’s candidate list. Also among the top five are Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin.

Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, has repeatedly expressed his desire for veterans of the Ukraine war to enter politics as Russia’s new elite. The country is currently engaged in an ongoing conflict with Ukraine, which has resulted in fuel shortages and other challenges.

Despite these difficulties, United Russia is expected to secure a large majority in the upcoming election, thanks in part to Putin’s support and a tame parliamentary opposition.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.