Russians have begun voting in a three-day parliamentary election taking place under the shadow of the war in Ukraine and increasingly tight controls over political competition.
The vote, which runs from September 18 to 20, will determine the composition of the 450-seat State Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament. It is the first parliamentary election since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The election is being held at a time when the war is having a growing impact on everyday life inside Russia. Ukrainian drone attacks have targeted oil facilities, factories and logistics sites in several parts of the country, while economic pressures, fuel shortages and labour constraints have added to concerns among some households and businesses.
President Vladimir Putin has urged Russians to participate, presenting the election as an expression of national unity and resilience during the conflict. In a televised address before voting began, he linked participation in the election to support for Russian soldiers and the country’s response to external pressure.
The political environment surrounding the vote has also changed considerably since the previous parliamentary election. The liberal Yabloko party, one of the few organised political forces openly opposing the war, was barred from competing on the national party list. Some of its individual candidates remain involved in constituency races.
Other parties taking part include the Communist Party, the Liberal Democratic Party and New People. These parties can criticise aspects of government policy, but their positions on major issues generally remain within the boundaries permitted by the authorities.
The campaign itself has attracted limited public attention compared with elections in more competitive political systems. Candidates have largely avoided making the war the centre of their campaigns, while debates and public events have been relatively subdued.
The Kremlin has also expanded the use of electronic voting, allowing millions of eligible voters to cast ballots remotely. Voting is additionally taking place in territories of Ukraine that Russia controls and claims to have annexed, a move rejected by Kyiv and not recognised internationally.
For the Russian authorities, the election carries significance beyond the selection of lawmakers. It provides an opportunity to demonstrate political continuity during wartime and to measure public participation amid growing questions about the conflict and its economic consequences.
The war has also fuelled uncertainty over what could happen after the election. Concerns about a possible new mobilisation have circulated in Russia, particularly among younger men. Putin has repeatedly dismissed suggestions that another large-scale mobilisation is imminent, but the issue remains a source of anxiety for some citizens.
The parliamentary vote therefore comes at a sensitive moment for Russia. While the result will determine the makeup of the next State Duma, the level of participation and public response to the election will also offer an indication of how Russians are coping with the prolonged war and the increasingly restricted political environment.
Results are expected after voting closes on September 20, with more complete figures expected in the following days.
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