Putin urges Russians to vote in parliamentary election as show of support for Ukraine war

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday urged citizens to vote in parliamentary elections starting Friday, framing turnout as a measure of public support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
In a televised address, Putin said participation would demonstrate that “millions of people stand behind our soldiers” and that Russia remains a “united people bound together by shared values, historical memory, and love for our homeland.” He added that the vote would serve as a collective response to those seeking to weaken Russia and deprive it of sovereignty .
The three-day election, Russia’s first parliamentary vote since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, will determine the 450-seat State Duma, a body that has consistently approved Kremlin initiatives. The ruling United Russia party, backed by Putin, is widely expected to retain its dominance in a tightly controlled political system where most anti-war candidates have been excluded from the ballot .
Putin also stated that the elections would help secure Russia’s victory in Ukraine, linking civic participation to military success .
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