Russia’s September 18–20 State Duma elections have been described by some Russian commentators as a “special electoral operation,” echoing the Kremlin’s term for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The phrase references the elections’ tightly managed nature and their role in fabricating public support for Putin’s war.
The Kremlin framing the elections as a referendum on its war while denying economic issues during the campaign may bring the regime’s legitimacy into question as the problems that many Russians face daily, such as high prices and gas shortages, come into conflict with government messaging.
The increase in Russian hybrid warfare across Europe, from drone incursions to reckless maneuvers of combat ships, over recent months may make it necessary for Europe to take countermeasures.
by The Jamestown Foundation – Putin’s ‘Special Electoral Operation’ Could Backfire
