Archive · 21 Sep 2026
United Russia Leads Wartime Election Amid Ukrainian Drone Strikes
Russia held an election for its lower house of parliament, called the State Duma.
Early results showed Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party far ahead with 57.5% of the vote.
The election took place over three days and ended on September 20.
Ukraine launched a large drone attack while people were voting.
Russian officials said the attack killed people and damaged part of an oil refinery, although reports gave different death counts.
Officials also said hackers attacked voting systems, but that voting was mostly smooth.
Critics said many anti-war candidates were not allowed to compete.
Russian authorities said the election showed that people were united and supported the government.
Final results were expected by September 25.
Initial results gave pro-Putin United Russia 57.5% of the vote in Russia’s State Duma election.
The three-day election ended on September 20, with turnout reported at about 56.66% to nearly 57%.
Ukraine launched a large drone attack on Moscow and other Russian regions during the vote’s final day.
Russian officials reported deaths, refinery damage and cyberattacks, while saying voting remained mostly smooth.
Critics said meaningful anti-war opposition was excluded, while Russian authorities presented the result as evidence of national unity and support for Putin’s policies.
- Who
- Russian voters, United Russia, Vladimir Putin, Russian officials, opposition parties and Ukrainian forces were involved.
- What
- Russia held a State Duma election in which United Russia led initial results amid drone and cyberattacks.
- When
- Voting took place over three days and ended on September 20; final results were expected by September 25.
- Where
- Voting took place across Russia and at polling stations abroad; drone strikes hit Moscow, the Moscow region and other Russian regions, with Russian-held Kherson also reporting deaths.
- Why
- The Kremlin presented the election as a test of public support for Putin’s policies and Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine.
Russian Authorities
Critics and Ukraine
Meaning of the result
Russian Authorities
Russian officials said United Russia’s lead demonstrated public unity and support for the government, Vladimir Putin and Russia’s military and political course.
Critics and Ukraine
Critics said the tightly controlled political environment and predictable result did not demonstrate a fully open contest; Ukraine called the vote a “pseudo election.”
Purpose of the drone attack
Russian Authorities
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin and other Russian officials said the attack was planned to disrupt the election but failed, and Russia said it would intensify strikes in response.
Critics and Ukraine
Ukraine launched the attack, but the articles did not provide an independently confirmed Ukrainian explanation for its timing or purpose.
Opposition and voter choice
Russian Authorities
Russian authorities allowed parties including the Communist Party, LDPR, New People and Just Russia to compete for seats, while Yabloko candidates also ran in some contests.
Critics and Ukraine
Opposition figures and analysts said most anti-war candidates were barred and that permitted systemic opposition parties might receive protest votes from people affected by the war.
- Leading party
- United Russia
- Initial vote share
- 57.5%
- Reported turnout
- 56.66% overall, or nearly 57% according to later CEC data
- Election
- State Duma election, held over three days and ending September 20
- Expected final results
- By September 25
- Reported attack effects
- Deaths were reported in the Moscow region and Russian-held Kherson; a Moscow oil-refinery facility was damaged
- Opposition participation
- Most anti-war candidates were barred; permitted parties included the Communist Party, LDPR, New People, Just Russia and Yabloko
