MOSCOW, Russia: President Vladimir Putin’s ruling United Russia party has won a large majority in Russia’s parliamentary elections, according to preliminary results reported by state media, after a vote marked by Ukrainian drone attacks and cyber incidents targeting election infrastructure.
The election, held to choose members of the 450-seat State Duma, was the first parliamentary vote since Russia launched its full-scale military operation in Ukraine in 2022.
United Russia leads vote
With more than 71 percent of ballots counted, United Russia received 57.5 percent of the vote, according to Russian news agencies.
The Communist Party followed with 14 percent, while the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) received 8.7 percent.
State media projections indicated that United Russia was on course to maintain its two-thirds majority in the lower house, allowing it to pass constitutional amendments.
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Voting also took place in territories of Ukraine that Russia claims to have annexed, a move rejected by Kyiv and many international governments.
Drone attacks during voting
The final day of voting was disrupted by a wave of Ukrainian drone strikes targeting Moscow and surrounding areas, Russian officials said.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said around 1,600 drones were involved in the attacks, with hundreds aimed at the capital region.
Officials reported that two people were killed in the strikes, while a fire broke out at an oil facility and residents were evacuated from a damaged apartment building.
Russia’s Defence Ministry said it would increase strikes on Kyiv in response, accusing Ukraine of attempting to disrupt the election process.
Cyberattack claims
Russia’s Central Election Commission also reported more than 1,000 waves of cyberattacks against election-related infrastructure.
Commission chief Ella Pamfilova said the attacks appeared to involve highly coordinated groups using artificial intelligence tools, though she did not identify those responsible.
