Voting gets under way in controlled Russian election

Polling stations in Russia's far east opened early today, marking the start of a three-day parliamentary election. President Vladimir Putin's party, United Russia, is expected to secure a landslide victory after five years of war with Ukraine. This election is Russia's first since Moscow's invasion in February 2022, resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths.

Only parties supporting Putin and the Kremlin's military campaign have been permitted to run for office. Moscow has also extended voting to occupied Ukraine. While the outcome is anticipated, the poll provides the Kremlin with insight into public opinion on the war, which has had a profound impact on the country. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that Russia had destroyed dozens of Ukrainian drones en route to Moscow on Saturday night, with some 64 being shot down as they approached the city.

The vote for 450 seats in Russia's lower house of parliament, the Duma, will continue until 7pm on Sunday. Kamchatka peninsula and Chukotka, located on the Pacific, will be the first of Russia's 11 time zones to cast their ballots. The Kremlin dominates Russian politics, having ruled since 1999, and United Russia faces only parties that largely agree with Putin's policies, including the Communist Party, the nationalist LDPR, A Just Russia, and New People.

Protests against the war are banned, making the election a crucial measure of public sentiment towards the ongoing conflict. Russia's exiled opposition warned citizens not to abstain from voting, arguing that it would be akin to supporting the very people who caused deaths in Russia and Ukraine.