United Russia Secures Record 355-Seat Duma Majority Amid Drone Strikes and International Condemnation

Key points

• United Russia won 355 seats, exceeding its 2016 record of 343, with turnout reported at over 59%.
• The Communist party won 40 seats, LDPR 25, and New People 20; anti-war party Yabloko was barred from the ballot.
• Ukraine and the EU condemned the vote, especially the inclusion of annexed regions, as a 'sham' and violation of international law.
• A massive Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow on the final day killed two people and set an oil refinery on fire.
• Russia reported over 1,000 DDoS cyberattacks on election infrastructure, which officials said were successfully repelled.

Background

This is the first Russian parliamentary election since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. Previous coverage noted growing economic strain, fuel shortages, and a militarized mood in Russia, with the Kremlin using patriotic displays to mask underlying anxiety. The vote was also the first to include residents of the four annexed Ukrainian regions (Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia), a move strongly condemned by Kyiv and the EU.

How outlets are covering it

The Kremlin and Russian state media framed the election as a demonstration of national unity and support for the 'special military operation,' with Putin calling it a test of public backing for the war. The Moscow Times and The New York Times highlighted the lack of genuine opposition, noting that most anti-war candidates were barred and that Yabloko’s participation was a 'small miracle' given the repression. The Guardian and euronews emphasized the international condemnation, with the EU calling the vote in annexed territories a 'blatant violation of international law.' The NEST think-tank suggested that despite the predictable outcome, economic strain could have shifted votes to systemic opposition parties like the Communists and New People, which won 40 and 20 seats respectively. Ukrainian officials dismissed the entire process as a 'pseudo election' and warned of criminal liability for those who participated in organizing it in occupied territories.

Why it matters

The election result cements Putin’s domestic political dominance and provides the Kremlin with a mandate to continue its war in Ukraine, despite international isolation and economic strain. The massive Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow on the final day signals an escalation in the conflict and a direct challenge to Russian security, potentially leading to a further intensification of strikes on both sides. The international condemnation of the vote, particularly regarding annexed territories, underscores the deepening diplomatic rift and the lack of recognition for Russia’s claimed gains in Ukraine.

What to watch

Final results are expected later this week, with over 95% of votes already counted. Russia has vowed to 'intensify' its strikes on Kyiv in response to the Moscow drone attack. Zelenskyy and Trump are expected to meet in New York in the coming days, with Trump having urged Kyiv to stop attacks on Russian refineries. The US has also approved a potential $2.68 billion sale of air defense equipment to Ukraine.