Russia’s sham Duma vote exposes Kremlin panic over war fatigue
Russian voters are heading to the polls for the first parliamentary election since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, but the Kremlin has effectively eliminated meaningful opposition. The ruling United Russia party is expected to secure a majority, while the only anti-war party, Yabloko, was recently banned after polling showed unexpected support. Analysts argue the vote is a propaganda exercise designed to legitimize the war and suppress dissent, with critics noting that the absence of real choices underscores the authoritarian nature of the regime.
