Putin's party wins tightly controlled Russian election as Ukraine launches largest drone attack on Moscow

Russia's ruling United Russia party has secured a dominant victory in the country's recent parliamentary elections, held from September 18-20, 2026. This election, the first since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, was widely characterized as tightly controlled and lacking genuine opposition, ultimately reinforcing President Vladimir Putin's hold on power. Initial results show United Russia leading comfortably with close to 58% of the vote for party-list seats, ensuring the party will maintain overwhelming control of the State Duma.

The electoral process was marked by significant restrictions on dissent, with most anti-war candidates barred from participating. The liberal Yabloko party, which had openly criticized the conflict, was notably removed from the federal ballot by Russia's Supreme Court. Additionally, the voting extended to four Ukrainian regions illegally annexed by Moscow and Crimea, a move that Kyiv and the European Union condemned as a "blatant violation of international law."

The three-day election took place amid a backdrop of extensive Ukrainian drone attacks across Russia, including on Moscow. Russian officials accused Ukraine of attempting to disrupt the polls, while President Putin presented the election as a crucial measure of public backing for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.