Russians begin voting in controlled election as war drags

Polling stations in Russia's Far East opened early Friday for a three-day election, marking the beginning of the fifth year of war with Ukraine. This will be Russia's first parliamentary election since sending troops to Ukraine in February 2022. Only parties supporting President Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin's military campaign have been registered to compete.

Moscow has organized voting in occupied Ukraine, with the conflict's effects becoming more severe this year. United Russia, Putin's party, is expected to win, but the vote allows the Kremlin to assess public support for the war. The Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, has 450 seats up for renewal. Voting will continue until 1800 GMT on Sunday across Russia's 11 time zones.

Critics of Putin's war effort have been banned from competing, with only pro-Kremlin parties allowed to run. United Russia faces only those who endorse Putin's policies and the war. Putin, who has ruled since 1999, views elections as personally significant, comparing his political situation to those in Europe. The war has strained Russia's ties with the West, leading to severe economic sanctions.

With protests banned, the vote serves as a gauge for the Kremlin's assessment of public frustration with the conflict, which has deeply impacted everyday Russians.