Russia votes in first parliamentary election since Ukraine invasion

By Stefan J. Bos Russian President Vladimir Putin cast his ballot online, while voters queued at polling stations across the country in the first nationwide vote since the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Voting was also underway in Russian-held parts of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Ukraine and its Western allies reject Moscow’s claims to the territories and regard them as occupied Ukrainian land. The outcome appeared largely predictable, with Putin’s United Russia party dominant and most anti-war candidates barred from participating. [ Audio Embed Listen to Stefan Bos' report] Attacks reported The election, which concludes Sunday, has been overshadowed by Russian reports of attacks on voting systems and communication lines.

Russia’s Central Election Commission said Moscow’s online voting system came under a strong attack overnight. State media quoted commission chief Ella Pamfilova as saying that continuing attacks had so far been “successfully repelled.” Separately, Russia’s Digital Ministry reported an attempted sabotage of communication lines in the country’s Far East. It said the attack had been thwarted and communications restored. Putin earlier accused Ukraine of attempting to interfere with the election, but did not provide evidence for the allegation. War continues The vote comes as Russia’s war against Ukraine, Europe’s deadliest conflict since the Second World War, continues into its fifth year. Russian missile and drone