Voting opened on Friday in Russia’s parliamentary elections, a tightly controlled process widely expected to maintain the longstanding dominance of President Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party. The three-day vote, which will conclude on Sunday, is set against a backdrop of increased political repression and ongoing conflict linked to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine that began in 2022.

United Russia has held a majority in the State Duma—the lower house of parliament—for 23 years, and this election is anticipated to extend that control. Alongside United Russia, a small number of officially sanctioned opposition parties, often referred to as the “systemic opposition,” are permitted to participate. These include the Communist Party and the far-right Liberal Democratic Party, which occasionally voice limited criticism but align with the Kremlin on key policy matters.

The election is occurring amid growing strains related to the war in Ukraine, which has begun to directly affect daily life in Russia. Over the summer, Russian infrastructure such as oil refineries, factories, and logistics centers faced a wave of drone attacks attributed to Ukraine, fueling unease about the ongoing conflict. Polling has reflected this anxiety, prompting the Kremlin to reinforce its grip on the political system.

Last month, the authorities excluded the liberal anti-war party Yabloko from the ballot, removing the only significant political force openly opposing the invasion. This move came after polls indicated rising support for Yabloko, underscoring the Kremlin’s unwillingness to tolerate any potential challenge to the scripted narrative.

Election campaigns have been notably subdued, with most candidates engaging in minimal outreach. Political analysts describe the atmosphere as unusually muted, with many candidates avoiding public debate or discussion of sensitive topics. Televised debates have seen noticeably low attendance from candidates, and campaign materials have relied heavily on low-cost digital methods like AI-generated content. There has been little mention of the war, despite its growing salience among the Russian public.

Observers suggest the Kremlin’s strategy is to minimize attention around the vote, aiming to avoid increased scrutiny that could destabilize its preferred outcome. A Kremlin insider, speaking anonymously, characterized the election as a process the authorities wished to complete quietly, without addressing the difficult political and social issues confronting the country.

For the Kremlin, the parliamentary election serves not only to secure majority control but also to project a façade of legitimate popular support for both the government and its military actions in Ukraine. Vladimir Gelman, a professor of Russian politics at the University of Helsinki, described the vote as an “only source of legitimacy” that helps reinforce the image of broad consensus, despite its lack of genuine freedom or fairness.

President Putin addressed the nation this week, linking voting participation directly to support for Russia’s military campaign. In his televised remarks, he emphasized that the election would demonstrate the unity of the Russian people and their backing for the troops, framing the vote as an expression of shared values and patriotism. Putin himself secured a further six-year presidency in 2024 after genuine opponents were barred from contesting the election.