United Russia Sweeps Russian Parliamentary Elections Amid Ukraine War

The election outcome reinforces Putin's control of the legislative body with a supermajority and provides political cover for potential military decisions; United Russia's expanded seats may facilitate further defense spending or mobilization legislation. Independent polling shows significant divergence between official narratives and public sentiment—approval ratings and confidence in the war's direction declined notably—suggesting potential constraints on domestic support for continued military expenditure. The first inclusion of annexed Ukrainian territories in Russian elections raises international legal and diplomatic questions about territorial recognition and electoral legitimacy, while the exclusion of anti-war opposition parties narrows the spectrum of legislative debate on Ukraine policy. Ongoing drone strikes and reported military infrastructure pressures indicate escalating Ukrainian military capabilities during the campaign period.