Russia holds tightly controlled vote

Russians are electing a new State Duma in a three-day vote starting Friday with little doubt about the result. Putin's United Russia party is expected to extend its 23-year grip on parliament.

Anti-war party barred from ballot

Last month authorities removed Yabloko, the liberal anti-war party, from the ballot. It was the only political force openly challenging Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Polling showed growing anti-war support

Officials initially expected Yabloko to perform poorly, but polling suggested growing support for an explicitly anti-war platform. Rather than risk an unscripted result, authorities removed the party.

Remaining parties reliably support Kremlin

A handful of nominal opposition parties, from Communists to far-right Liberal Democrats, form the 'systemic opposition'. They criticise at the margins but vote with United Russia on issues that matter.

Campaign is strikingly lifeless

Most candidates have barely campaigned. Televised debates have taken place in half-empty studios because politicians failed to show up, producing awkward clips that became memes online.

“In most elections, candidates compete for attention. In Russia this year, many are doing the opposite.”

Kremlin deliberately keeping election low-key

The Kremlin is suppressing interest to depress turnout among disaffected voters while ensuring supporters participate. Greater interest would not benefit them, and they want to avoid discussing the war.

Election provides source of legitimacy

Even though these elections are neither free nor fair, they remain the only source of legitimacy for the political system. Putin explicitly linked voting to demonstrating unity behind the war in Ukraine.

War increasingly intruding on daily life

Ukrainian drones have struck oil refineries and factories across Russia over the summer. Polling shows growing anxiety about the course of fighting and what may still lie ahead.

Mobilisation fears drive young men abroad

Rumours of another large-scale mobilisation have spread across Russia. Young men are leaving the country to avoid conscription, echoing scenes from September 2022 when hundreds of thousands fled after Putin's first wartime draft.

Putin dismisses mobilisation rumours

Putin has twice dismissed suggestions that a new mobilisation is imminent, but reassurances have not calmed fears. Some men, like Dmitry, have already fled to Armenia to wait out the post-election period.

“I'll just wait a few weeks after the elections. Let's see if anything changes after the vote.”