Russia’s September 18–20 Duma elections delivered United Russia its largest State Duma faction in history, while 49 war veterans won seats, advancing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s effort to build a “new elite” tied to the war against Ukraine.
The Kremlin further narrowed the space for electoral opposition by excluding Yabloko, while other opposition figures sought to coordinate protest voting and mobilize voters despite the risk of detention.
Turnout reached 59.32 percent, the highest since 2011, amid reports of vote discrepancies, restrictions on independent observers, and the deployment of Cossacks and National Guard personnel at polling stations.
by The Jamestown Foundation – Russian Elections Take Place Without Real Opposition
