Russia votes in wartime election set to secure the Kremlin's power

AI Summary

Voting commenced in Russia's tightly controlled three-day parliamentary election, framed by President Vladimir Putin as a measure of support for the war in Ukraine. Most anti-war candidates have been excluded from the ballot, ensuring the Kremlin's dominance in this first election since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

Voting got ⁠underway on Friday in a tightly controlled three-day parliamentary election in Russia which President Vladimir Putin has framed as a barometer of support for Russia's war in Ukraine. It is the first parliamentary election since Russia launched its full-scale war in Ukraine in February 2022, and most anti-war candidates have been excluded from the ballot.