Russia begins 3-day legislative elections as Kremlin seeks to project support for war

On September 18, Russia commenced its three-day legislative elections, marking the first such event since the onset of the full-scale war in Ukraine. Alongside the elections for 450 State Duma members, citizens will vote for 11 regional governors and 39 regional parliaments. These elections, tightly controlled by the Kremlin, aim to gauge public support for the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, which has persisted for over four and a half years.

The United Russia party, led by President Vladimir Putin, is anticipated to retain its grip on the Russian legislature. Other permitted parties, including the Communist Party and the ultra-nationalist Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR), belong to the so-called "systemic opposition," designed to mimic democratic competition. Russia's sole anti-war party, Yabloko, was barred from participating in August, while other "non-systemic opposition" politicians have faced persecution, exile, or even death.

In a speech just before the elections, Putin portrayed the vote as an opportunity for the Russian populace to exhibit their backing for the war in Ukraine. "Your choice and your will will once again demonstrate that millions of people stand behind our troops, that we are a single people, united by common values, historical memory and love for the Motherland," he declared in a September 16 address.

Critics, including democracy watchdogs, argue that the Russian elections are neither free nor fair, and independent media have already documented intimidation of election observers and coercion of voters ahead of the vote. The last State Duma elections occurred in 2021, just months before Russia initiated its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

This year will be the first time that Moscow will hold elections for the State Duma in the Ukrainian territories occupied since 2022.