Story perspectives

United Russia wins 57.9% in Russia’s first post-invasion Duma election

By Drooid · Sep 21, 2026, 2:12 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Russia Holds Duma Election

Russia held a State Duma election beginning September 18, 2026, its first since the 2022 invasion.
United Russia received about 57.9 % of the party-list vote and turnout was reported at 56.66 %.
The Kremlin barred Yabloko from the ballot and jailed Lev Shlosberg for 11 years and Maxim Kruglov for 7 years.
Voting took place in Russia-controlled Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and Crimea, which Ukraine deems illegal.

Summary

Police Seize Apple

Election observers in Ufa were reportedly offered vodka to leave polling stations.
Police in Yekaterinburg seized an apple on a precinct table, calling it illegal campaigning.
A Yabloko observer in St. Petersburg fell unconscious after police detained him at a polling station.
Authorities restricted Telegram and WhatsApp during the election.
Authorities cracked down on VPN use during the election.

History

Historical Context

United Russia first ran as a party in the 7 December 2003 State Duma election, winning 37.56 % of the vote and 223 seats, giving it a qualified majority. The party expanded that lead to 64.3 % in 2007, securing a constitutional majority that has persisted through subsequent elections, cementing Vladimir Putin’s administration control over the legislature.

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Russia Holds Duma Election

Russia held a State Duma election beginning September 18, 2026, its first since the 2022 invasion.
United Russia received about 57.9 % of the party-list vote and turnout was reported at 56.66 %.
The Kremlin barred Yabloko from the ballot and jailed Lev Shlosberg for 11 years and Maxim Kruglov for 7 years.
Voting took place in Russia-controlled Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and Crimea, which Ukraine deems illegal.

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