
11 days · 6 summary articles
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday urged citizens to vote in parliamentary elections starting Friday, framing turnout as a measure of public support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
In a televised address, Putin said participation would demonstrate that “millions of people stand behind our soldiers” and that Russia remains a “united people bound together by shared values, historical memory, and love for our homeland.” He added that the vote would serve as a collective response to those seeking to weaken Russia and deprive it of sovereignty .
The three-day election, Russia’s first parliamentary vote since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, will determine the 450-seat State Duma, a body that has consistently approved Kremlin initiatives. The ruling United Russia party, backed by Putin, is widely expected to retain its dominance in a tightly controlled political system where most anti-war candidates have been excluded from the ballot .
Putin also stated that the elections would help secure Russia’s victory in Ukraine, linking civic participation to military success .
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