Russians are heading to the polls this week for a tightly controlled parliamentary election that is widely seen as predetermined, but growing unease about the country’s future continues to cast a shadow over the proceedings. The three-day vote, set to begin on Friday, offers limited political choice amid the Kremlin’s efforts to maintain a veneer of stability despite mounting economic and military pressures tied to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Public interest in the ballot appears low. The opposition party Yabloko, known for its antiwar stance, was barred from participation. Many candidates have made little effort to campaign, with several scheduled debates canceled due to lack of attendees. At a recent forum in Moscow for young candidates and voters, no representatives from the ruling United Russia party were present. Campaign materials that do exist tend to be modest, including one low-budget video portraying Viktor Bout, the infamous arms dealer, in a sympathetic light.

Many Russians are already grappling with the war’s consequences. The country faces fuel shortages despite being a major oil producer, a situation worsened by Ukrainian strikes on key refinery infrastructure. Long lines for gasoline have become common in cities such as Moscow, reflecting strains on everyday life. Interviewees described a pervasive sense of uncertainty, with concerns ranging from potential new military mobilizations to inflation and rationing.

“This is a war with no clear end, and people are starting to realize it,” said Yuri, a driver in Moscow who expressed pessimism about prospects for improvement. Others, like Aleksei A. Venediktov, former editor of the banned Echo of Moscow radio, described a climate of anxiety and insecurity, with citizens unsure about the day-to-day implications of ongoing conflict and government policy. Official surveys support this mood; a July poll by the state-affiliated Public Opinion Foundation found that nearly 60 percent of respondents noticed growing anxiety among their social circles, the highest level in four years. Bank withdrawals reached a six-year peak during the same month.

Psychiatrists and residents from regions such as Samara and Siberia report that many Russians suppress their fears, but the emotional toll is significant. Social interactions are increasingly marked by questions about when the war might end, and funerals have become more frequent as casualties mount. For some, the looming threat of forced mobilization is very real. Several individuals, including younger men and those beyond typical draft age, have received summonses or been encouraged to enlist, despite official statements denying any immediate plans for new conscriptions.

The Kremlin continues to promote a narrative urging national unity and support for President Vladimir Putin’s war effort, using historical symbolism to rally public morale. Two weeks before the election, a large crowd assembled in Moscow to honor Dmitri Donskoy, a medieval prince celebrated for a decisive military victory. Pro-government media linked the commemoration to Russia’s conflict with the “collective West” supporting Ukraine. State commentators have framed the war as necessary to prevent Russia’s subjugation.

However, this message finds mixed responses domestically. Some Russians acknowledge the hardship but feel compelled to endure, while others express fatigue and skepticism. Young people like Yaroslav, a university student who recently received a draft notice, describe a constant pressure weighing on daily life. Many fear the path ahead remains uncertain as economic difficulties deepen, families mourn lost loved ones, and the political landscape offers little room for dissent.

As the Kremlin seeks to secure a predictable election outcome, the underlying social and economic strains highlight the challenges Russia faces amid a war whose trajectory remains unclear.