Story perspectives

Supreme Court Bars Yabloko as Russians Vote in Duma Election

By Drooid · Sep 18, 2026, 2:31 PM UTC · How we work

Center

Public fear of mobilization

Russians began voting on September 18, 2026 in a three-day parliamentary election for the State Duma and regional legislatures.
President Vladimir Putin said the vote proves millions support Russia’s soldiers, while many fear a new call-up despite the Kremlin’s repeated denials.
Voting also occurs in Russia-controlled parts of four Ukrainian regions annexed after 2022, illegal per Kyiv.
Public anxiety about a new call-up persists despite the Kremlin’s seventeen denials of mobilization.

Left

Drone Strikes Fuel Crisis

Russians began voting on September 18, 2026 in a three-day parliamentary election for the State Duma and regional legislatures.
The vote is conducted under tightly controlled conditions, lacking genuine anti-war opposition, and aims to project Kremlin legitimacy as war fatigue rises.
The Supreme Court barred the liberal Yabloko party, the only anti-war group, from the ballot.
Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries and warehouses have triggered fuel shortages.

Blindspot

Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries and warehouses have caused fuel shortages, Russian officials said.
Polls show United Russia’s support at about 37% and the Communist Party at roughly 12%, according to Russian pollsters.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Left-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Center-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

In February-March 2014, after Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity removed Viktor Yanukovych, Russian troops occupied Crimea and a 16 March referendum reported 96.77% support, prompting Putin to sign the annexation treaty on 18 March. The UN General Assembly condemned the vote on 27 March and Western sanctions followed. That disputed annexation frames the September 18-20 2026 Duma election, where Ukrainian drone strikes hit Russian refineries.

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Public fear of mobilization

Russians began voting on September 18, 2026 in a three-day parliamentary election for the State Duma and regional legislatures.
President Vladimir Putin said the vote proves millions support Russia’s soldiers, while many fear a new call-up despite the Kremlin’s repeated denials.
Voting also occurs in Russia-controlled parts of four Ukrainian regions annexed after 2022, illegal per Kyiv.
Public anxiety about a new call-up persists despite the Kremlin’s seventeen denials of mobilization.

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