Russia opens wartime parliamentary vote amid tight controls and economic strain

Russia has begun three days of parliamentary voting, with President Vladimir Putin’s United Russia expected to retain power. France 24 reports that anti-war opposition was excluded from the ballot, while the election also includes residents of four Ukrainian regions Moscow claims to have annexed, a vote Ukraine calls illegal.

Voting opened in Russia’s Far East on Friday for a three-day parliamentary election, the first for the lower chamber since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. France 24 reports that the result is widely expected to preserve the dominance of United Russia, the main Kremlin-aligned party, alongside several other parties supporting President Vladimir Putin.

The election is taking place under heightened political controls. Yabloko, described by France 24 as the only party on the ballot that openly criticised the war, was removed from the contest by Russia’s Supreme Court after an appeal from the nationalist Motherland party. The court action followed the Central Election Commission’s earlier clearance of 11 parties. Several anti-war politicians have also been imprisoned or left Russia, according to the report.

For the first time, the parliamentary election includes residents of four Ukrainian regions that Moscow says it annexed after the invasion. Ukraine has condemned the vote as illegal. France 24 says Kremlin-watchers view the election as an effort both to mobilise support for the war and to give political legitimacy to Moscow’s actions, despite Putin’s political dominance facing no immediate threat.

The vote comes as the war increasingly affects life inside Russia. France 24 reports that Ukrainian drone strikes have damaged oil refineries and logistical sites, contributing to fuel shortages and worsening economic pressures. The government has raised taxes and increased domestic borrowing as the economy stagnates after an initial boost from military spending. Attacks on warehouses belonging to online retailers also caused losses for large numbers of individual sellers.

These developments have weighed on public sentiment, although Putin’s approval remains high. The independent Levada Center recorded his approval at 76 percent in August, down from 87 percent in September 2025, according to France 24. Andrei Klepach, chief economist of state bank VEB.RF, warned of a possible social crisis and was dismissed after his comments were published.

The election is also being held amid uncertainty over Russia’s military manpower needs. The Kremlin has denied claims that it is considering another mobilisation, while relying since 2022 on volunteers attracted by relatively high pay and other benefits. France 24 reports that military experts say the flow of recruits has slowed as losses continue. Putin has urged voters to demonstrate unity and support for Russian forces.