All articles tagged with #duma elections
As Russia braces for parliamentary elections on Sept. 18–20, Putin positions the vote as a show of unity and a war-focused rally, insisting there will be no mobilization “as of today” while the Kremlin discourages anti-war voices; the outcome is framed as a foregone conclusion for United Russia, using the elections to bolster support for the war rather than to reflect genuine electoral competition.
Meduza reports that Russian authorities are weighing a new mobilization after the State Duma elections, with October as a possible start, as contract recruitment slows to about 800 signups per day in early 2026 (the lowest in three years) before rising to roughly 1,000 per day in Q2, per estimates based on budget data. Regions describe growing difficulty in recruiting, with some contracts offered to detainees or recruited through police, and many new contract soldiers being desertors or barely fit for service. The situation has spurred intensified propaganda and higher payments, and discussions range from partial mobilization to rotating reservists, though no final decision has been made. Some officials say preparatory measures have been underway for months.
Putin’s approval ratings have cooled to about 73%, the lowest since early 2022, amid a Kremlin crackdown on the internet that has irritated ordinary Russians and prompted questions about the regime’s internal balance between civilian and security factions. State polls may censor or skew results, and experts warn against taking the figures at face value, though independent polls also show declines. The online crackdown appears aimed at tighter control before September’s Duma elections and could affect turnout, but analysts say the regime remains resilient despite chatter of elite or broader dissent.