Russian election, cast as test of support for Ukraine war, enters final day - Reuters

A parliamentary election that President Vladimir Putin has framed as a test of public support for Russia’s war in Ukraine entered its third and final day on Sunday. The vote is the first State Duma election since the full‑scale invasion began in February 2022 and is being presented by the Kremlin as evidence of popular backing for its policies and for the conflict, which has become Europe’s deadliest war since World War II.

The ruling United Russia party is expected to retain its dominance in a political system that critics describe as offering little room for dissent. Observers note that the election takes place against a backdrop of tight controls on political expression, with authorities describing national unity and limited media freedom as necessary during what they term a “special military operation.”

Most candidates who oppose the war were barred from the ballot. The liberal Yabloko party, which has historically polled in the single‑digit range, fielded a small number of candidates but warned that its members feared for their freedom after courts handed lengthy prison sentences to two senior party figures. The convictions were for comments about the conflict that authorities deemed illegal, reflecting a broader pattern in which discrediting the army or spreading what officials label “fake news” can result in long prison terms.

The Kremlin has repeatedly framed the conflict as an existential struggle against a hostile West, alleging that Ukrainian intelligence services and other enemies are intensifying efforts to undermine Russia. In this narrative, the election is portrayed as a demonstration of national solidarity and support for the war effort.

International analysts view the election as a barometer of domestic attitudes toward the war, but the limited choice of candidates and the legal environment make it difficult to gauge genuine public sentiment. The final results are expected to be announced in the coming days, with United Russia projected to secure a decisive majority in the Duma.