Russians vote in elections with no party opposing Putin or war in Ukraine

Key Points:

• Russians began voting in a tightly controlled three-day election expected to reinforce President Vladimir Putin's 26-year grip on power amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, with only pro-Kremlin parties allowed on the ballot.
• The only anti-war party, Yabloko, was barred from participation, and independent observers have reported state resources being used to influence election outcomes, including voter pressure and online voting control.
• The election will fill 450 State Duma seats and governorships in 11 regions, with voting also taking place in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine, a move not recognized by Kyiv or the West.
• Kremlin-backed candidates include nearly 200 individuals who have participated in the Ukraine war, promoted as part of Russia's "true elite," while fears of a new military mobilisation persist despite official denials.
• All major political opponents of Putin are imprisoned, exiled, or deceased, with calls from the exiled opposition to vote against Putin's party, though some, including Yabloko, advocate for election boycotts amid a repressive political climate.