Russian State Duma Elections Draw Millions Amid Ukraine War
· World · Al Jazeera, New York Times
Millions of voters in Russia are participating in elections to choose a new State Duma, marking the first parliamentary vote since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The ongoing conflict continues to overshadow the process as living costs rise and Ukrainian drones increasingly target Russian oil refineries and warehouses. President Vladimir Putin has urged citizens to cast ballots in a show of support for the military. Experts including Olga Krasnyak, Anton Barbashin, and Maximilian Hess have questioned the practical leverage the State Duma holds within Russian politics.
Why it matters
The parliamentary elections test public support for President Vladimir Putin's administration and military campaign in Ukraine amid escalating economic pressures.
Read the original report — Al Jazeera
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