Russia Holds State Duma Elections Amid Occupation of Ukraine

<p>Russian State Duma elections began on September 15, 2026, marking the first elections since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. These elections include occupied areas of Ukraine, where Russia aims to project a sense of popular support for its actions in the region.</p><p>The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) election observers have not been invited to monitor the elections, which critics interpret as an indication that the Kremlin does not intend to conduct free and fair elections. OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Pere Joan Pons stated, "Russia’s refusal to invite an election observation mission seriously breaches its international commitments and shows a worrying disregard for democratic standards. Election observation is not optional — it is something that all OSCE participating States have agreed to, and it is a cornerstone of transparency and accountability."</p><p>Following the invasion, Russia implemented strict censorship laws that criminalize dissent regarding the military operation and the war. A Russian court recently sentenced Lev Shlosberg, a prominent critic and leader of one of the few opposition parties, to over 11 years in a penal colony for opposing the war. Prior to his sentencing, the Supreme Court banned his Yabloko Party from participating in the Duma elections.</p><p>There are nine parties participating in the elections, all of which support President Vladimir Putin, including the ruling United Russia party, according to the Associated Press. After the 2022 invasion, Moscow annexed parts of Ukrainian territory in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia. In 2023, Putin signed legislation permitting elections in these occupied territories, which Ukraine and the international community do not recognize as legitimate.</p><p>Critics view these elections as a means for Putin to reinforce the narrative that the war and annexation of Ukrainian territory are lawful actions. Keti Korkiya from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies noted that while Russians may symbolically support Putin and the war, they are reluctant to pay a personal or economic price for it, which may explain the lack of further mobilization.</p><p>The elections are expected to take place under conditions of fear and manipulation, rather than genuine democratic freedom. Jaroslava Barbieri, a Research Fellow at Chatham House, described the situation as a "total regime of terror."</p><p>The last elections in the occupied territories occurred in 2024, when Putin won nearly 90% of the vote. Residents were required to obtain Russian passports, which allowed authorities to compile voter lists. Election officials reportedly visit homes with Russian soldiers escorting them to ensure compliance.</p><p>Putin stated in August that the elections would reaffirm Russia's stability and demonstrate the "maturity" of its political system in the face of foreign aggression, according to Anadolu Agency. The Central Election Commission (CEC) has approved new electoral regulations for occupied Ukraine, emphasizing early and at-home voting to minimize gatherings that could be targeted by Ukrainian attacks.</p><p>Russia's foreign ministry announced that preparations for overseas voting are nearly complete, with 326 polling stations set up at Russian embassies and consulates in 152 countries. Volodymyr Ariev, a member of the Ukrainian parliament, urged residents in occupied territories to boycott the elections, stating that such elections are illegal and violate international law. He advised residents to leave their homes on election day to avoid coercion.</p><p>Ivana Stradner, an expert on Russian information security, commented that as Russia's military situation becomes more challenging, Putin seeks political legitimacy through these elections. She remarked, "The State Duma elections give the Kremlin a chance to manufacture the appearance of public support…not only for United Russia, but for continuing Putin’s aggression in Ukraine. When the battlefield gets harder to sell, the ballot box becomes another way to sell the war."</p><p>In the 2024 presidential elections, the annexed Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics reported over 90% support for Putin. Stradner concluded, "Apparently, in Putin’s version of democracy, the voters get to choose… just not the result." The three days of voting will conclude on September 20.</p><p><i>The Associated Press contributed to this report.</i></p>