Putin Mobilizes United Russia to Sell Prolonged Ukraine War Ahead of Elections
Putin used the August 22 United Russia Congress to cast the party as the pro‑war vehicle and claim a mandate for a prolonged fight in Ukraine ahead of the September elections, signaling further sacrifices while seeking to keep the party at the center of Russia’s political narrative. The analysis notes Russia has achieved few tactical gains and faces high casualties, even as Zelensky and Kyiv continue long‑range strikes against Russian infrastructure; Russia aims to bolster air defense and coordinate state and private sectors, while meaningful peace negotiations remain off the table.