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Cyberattack Targets Moscow Online Voting in Duma Election

By Drooid · Sep 20, 2026, 10:09 AM UTC · How we work

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Cyberattack Targets Voting

Russia held a three-day State Duma parliamentary election from September 18 to 20 2026.
The Kremlin framed the vote as a test of popular support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
United Russia was expected to keep its supermajority in the 450-seat Duma.
Russian officials said a cyberattack targeted Moscow’s online voting system during the election.
Moscow’s mayor said a drone raid killed two, struck an oil refinery, and voting continued.

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Kremlin Vote Suppression

Russia conducted a three-day State Duma parliamentary election in Moscow and other regions from September 18 to 20 2026.
The Kremlin deliberately kept the vote low-key to suppress turnout among disaffected and independent-minded voters.
Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said more than 1,600 drones were intercepted, including 450 aimed at the capital.
A 44-year-old woman and an elderly man were killed in separate drone strikes; young men like Dmitry fled Russia fearing new mobilisation.

History

Historical Context

The 4 December 2011 State Duma election gave United Russia 49.32% of the vote (238 seats) but sparked mass protests over alleged ballot-stuffing, a pattern echoed in the 18 September 2016 election’s record-low 47.88% turnout. The upcoming 18-20 September 2026 three-day vote therefore continues a history of managed turnouts and security concerns, underscoring the Kremlin’s reliance on United Russia’s parliamentary dominance.

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Cyberattack Targets Voting

Russia held a three-day State Duma parliamentary election from September 18 to 20 2026.
The Kremlin framed the vote as a test of popular support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
United Russia was expected to keep its supermajority in the 450-seat Duma.
Russian officials said a cyberattack targeted Moscow’s online voting system during the election.
Moscow’s mayor said a drone raid killed two, struck an oil refinery, and voting continued.

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