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Russia votes in first parliamentary election since Ukraine invasion
Russians are voting in a three-day parliamentary election, the first since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than four years ago, amid continuing fighting and reported attacks on Russia’s electoral infrastructure.
By Stefan J. Bos
Russian President Vladimir Putin cast his ballot online, while voters queued at polling stations across the country in the first nationwide vote since the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Voting was also underway in Russian-held parts of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Ukraine and its Western allies reject Moscow’s claims to the territories and regard them as occupied Ukrainian land.
The outcome appeared largely predictable, with Putin’s United Russia party dominant and most anti-war candidates barred from participating.
Attacks reported
The election, which concludes Sunday, has been overshadowed by Russian reports of attacks on voting systems and communication lines.
Russia’s Central Election Commission said Moscow’s online voting system came under a strong attack overnight.
State media quoted commission chief Ella Pamfilova as saying that continuing attacks had so far been “successfully repelled.”
Separately, Russia’s Digital Ministry reported an attempted sabotage of communication lines in the country’s Far East. It said the attack had been thwarted and communications restored.
Putin earlier accused Ukraine of attempting to interfere with the election, but did not provide evidence for the allegation.
War continues
The vote comes as Russia’s war against Ukraine, Europe’s deadliest conflict since the Second World War, continues into its fifth year.
Russian missile and drone attacks against Ukraine have continued, while Kyiv has also carried out long-range drone strikes against targets inside Russia.
European governments have meanwhile expressed growing concern about what they describe as Russian hybrid activities, including cyberattacks, sabotage and drone incidents.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the Russian hybrid threat facing Europe “had intensified” and ordered stronger protection for critical infrastructure. Russia has rejected allegations that it is behind hybrid attacks.
Despite the election, there is little indication of an imminent end to the fighting, with both Russia and Ukraine preparing for another difficult winter.
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