Russian authorities have reported multiple cyber attacks on voting systems and communication lines as the country holds a three-day parliamentary election from September 18 to 20. Officials said the incidents had been contained and did not prevent voting from continuing.
The online voting system in Moscow came under a strong overnight attack, according to the Interfax news agency, which cited Central Election Commission head Ella Pamfilova. Pamfilova said attacks were continuing but were being successfully repelled, state media reported.
Russia’s digital ministry separately reported a sabotage attempt against communication lines in the country’s Far East. State media said the attempt was thwarted and that communications had been restored. President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of trying to interfere with the election, but the supplied report gives no evidence supporting that allegation.
The election has also prompted a diplomatic dispute with Moldova over polling stations for Russian nationals in Transnistria, a breakaway territory that is not internationally recognised. Moscow says 220,000 residents there hold Russian passports and are entitled to vote, while Moldova disputes that figure and opposes polling stations in the territory, where its authorities do not control procedures.
Moldova’s government says Russian citizens in Transnistria should vote only at a polling station in Russia’s embassy in Chisinau. Moldovan authorities described Russia’s plan to open 15 polling stations as “unacceptable and hostile” and summoned the Russian ambassador. Russia’s Foreign Ministry urged Moldova to abandon objections that spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said ran against democracy, international law and common sense.
In the 2021 parliamentary election, Russia opened 27 polling stations in Transnistria, where more than 59,000 people voted and 76.2 per cent backed United Russia, the party supporting Putin. The Kremlin is expected to present the current result as evidence of public support for his policies, including the invasion of Ukraine. The supplied material also notes that most anti-war candidates have been barred from participating.