{
  "id": 8251098,
  "title": "As elections get underway, Russia closes Sochi polling stations over drone threat",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/as-elections-get-underway-russia-closes-sochi-polling-stations-over",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-18T13:14:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Kyiv Independent",
    "slug": "kyiv-independent",
    "url": "https://kyivindependent.com/as-elections-get-underway-russia-closes-sochi-polling-stations-over-drone-threat/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On September 18, voting for Russia's State Duma elections in the Black Sea city of Sochi was suspended due to the threat of a Ukrainian drone attack, according to local authorities. The city's mayor, Andrey Propushin, confirmed that extensive security measures had been implemented at polling stations, with election commissions, observers, and voters relocated to shelters until the threat subsides. Russia initiated its three-day elections for the 450-member State Duma, the lower chamber of the country's legislature, for the first time since the full-scale war in Ukraine began. In addition to electing legislators, voters will also choose 11 regional governors and 39 regional parliaments. The Kremlin views these elections as an opportunity to gauge public support for the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, which has been in progress for over four and a half years. United Russia, the ruling party backed by President Vladimir Putin, is expected to retain control over the Russian legislature. Recent Ukrainian drone attacks, particularly in Black Sea coastal cities like Novorossiysk and Tuapse, have put these regions under increased threat. Russian President Putin cancelled a scheduled visit to Sochi for a Valdai Discussion Club meeting following a mass drone attack on September 9.",
  "summary": "\"Exhaustive security measures have been taken at polling stations in Sochi,\" said the city's mayor, Andrey Propushin.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}