# Russia votes as Ukraine war drags on

> Russians cast ballots in their first parliamentary election since invading Ukraine, amid cyberattacks and predictable outcomes.
- Title: Russia votes as Ukraine war drags on · Vaticannews | Shortify
- Summary: Russians cast ballots in their first parliamentary election since invading Ukraine, amid cyberattacks and predictable outcomes. Russia held parliamentary…
- Keywords: russia, parliamentary election, ukraine invasion, vladimir putin, united russia party, cyberattacks, electoral interference, hybrid warfare, european security, donetsk, luhansk, kherson
- Source: Vaticannews — https://vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2026-09/russia-votes-in-parliamentary-election.html
- Author: Vatican News
- Published: 2026-09-19T15:16:27.034+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: russia, parliamentary election, ukraine invasion, vladimir putin, united russia party, cyberattacks, electoral interference, hybrid warfare, european security, donetsk, luhansk, kherson
## Russia holds first election since invasion
Russians voted in a three-day parliamentary election, the first nationwide vote since February 2022 when Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. President Putin cast his ballot online.
## Voting extends to occupied territories
Voting also took place in Russian-held parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Ukraine and Western allies reject Moscow's territorial claims and view these areas as occupied Ukrainian land.
## Outcome appears largely predictable
Putin's United Russia party is expected to dominate the election. Most anti-war candidates were barred from participating, limiting genuine political competition.
## Cyberattacks target voting systems
Russia's Central Election Commission reported strong attacks on Moscow's online voting system overnight. The Digital Ministry also reported attempted sabotage of communication lines in the Far East, which it said was thwarted.

> continuing attacks had so far been "successfully repelled."
## Putin accuses Ukraine without evidence
Putin alleged Ukraine attempted to interfere with the election but provided no evidence. Russia has also rejected European accusations of hybrid attacks including cyberattacks, sabotage and drone incidents.
## War continues with no end in sight
The conflict enters its fifth year with Russian missile and drone attacks ongoing against Ukraine, while Kyiv strikes targets inside Russia. European governments worry about escalating Russian hybrid threats to critical infrastructure.
## Key takeaway

Russia held parliamentary elections four years into its Ukraine invasion with Putin's party expected to dominate, while the country faces cyberattacks and Europe braces for escalating hybrid threats.