Overview
- The three-day vote runs Sept. 18 to 20 and is widely expected to return United Russia to a large Duma majority that preserves its ability to shape laws and budgets.
- The Supreme Court has barred the liberal Yabloko party from the nationwide ballot and many prominent critics are jailed, exiled, or dead, removing meaningful anti-war challengers.
- Electoral transparency is sharply reduced after the closure of the independent watchdog Golos in 2025 and Moscow's decision not to invite OSCE monitors to observe the vote.
- Voting is being held in Crimea and in Russian-controlled parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson as authorities seek to signal control over occupied territory and claim popular support.
- Rumours of a post-election mobilisation persist despite denials from the Kremlin and rising Ukrainian strikes plus economic strain mean turnout levels and any call-up will be watched for their social and political impact.