Putin Claims High Turnout Signals Public Support for Ukraine War Policy

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that strong voter participation in the parliamentary election demonstrates public backing for his government's policies. Preliminary results show that the ruling United Russia party won a commanding majority in the State Duma. Voting was also conducted in Ukrainian territories occupied and claimed by Russia, a move Kyiv has condemned as illegal. Authorities extended the voting period across multiple days and permitted online voting in certain regions amid ongoing Ukrainian drone attacks. Critics and Ukraine have questioned the legitimacy of holding elections in occupied territories.