Russians Vote Amid Ukraine War and Putin’s Tightening Grip
In a controlled three‑day election, Russians voted for a new State Duma dominated by United Russia, with opposition parties kept in check. The vote occurs against a backdrop of the Ukraine war, drone attacks, and growing public anxiety about potential mobilization. The Kremlin’s strategy aims to ma…
By Felo News Desk · Published
On a Friday that marked the start of a three‑day voting period, Russians went to the polls to elect a new State Duma. The election, which is widely seen as a foregone conclusion, is conducted in a tightly controlled environment that offers little real competition. United Russia, the party that has held the parliamentary majority for 23 years, is expected to extend its grip on the legislature, while a handful of nominal opposition parties—ranging from the Communists to the far‑right Liberal Democrats—are permitted to criticize the government only on marginal issues. The result is a system in which the ruling party’s dominance is reaffirmed while the appearance of democratic choice is maintained.
War‑Inflected Politics
The election is the first State Duma vote since Russia’s full‑scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Over the summer, Ukrainian drones have struck oil refineries, factories, and logistics hubs across Russia, bringing the war closer to everyday life for many citizens. Polls indicate rising anxiety about the conflict’s trajectory and what may lie ahead. In response, the Kremlin has tightened its control further, most notably by banning Yabloko, the liberal anti‑war party, from the ballot last month. Yabloko had been the only political force openly challenging the invasion, and its removal leaves only parties that align with the Kremlin on key issues.
These parties, collectively known as the “systemic opposition,” have historically served as a political safety valve, allowing voters to register discontent without threatening the ruling party’s dominance. However, this year’s campaign has been strikingly lifeless. Political analyst Farida Rustamova notes that many candidates are avoiding the spotlight and steering clear of sensitive topics. Televised debates have been held in half‑empty studios, producing awkward clips that quickly became memes online. United Russia’s campaign videos rely heavily on low‑budget AI, lacking memorable slogans or promises. No party has dared to address the growing questions surrounding the war that dominate private conversations.
Strategic Suppression and Legitimacy
The Kremlin’s strategy appears deliberate. By keeping the election low‑key, Moscow hopes to depress turnout among disaffected and independent‑minded voters while ensuring its supporters make it to the polls. Yabloko’s exclusion followed a similar logic: officials initially expected the party to receive a negligible result, but polling suggested growing support, prompting its removal to avoid an unscripted outcome. Vladimir Gelman, a professor of Russian politics at the University of Helsinki, argues that the elections serve to provide the Kremlin with a continuing source of legitimacy and reinforce the impression of broad public consent behind the political system and the war.
In a televised address before the vote, President Vladimir Putin explicitly linked participation in the election to the war in Ukraine, framing voting as a demonstration of unity in the face of external pressure. He urged citizens to show that millions stand behind the soldiers and that the nation remains united by shared values, historical memory, and love for the homeland. Putin himself secured another six‑year term in the 2024 presidential election, extending his rule until at least 2030.
Public Anxiety and the Threat of Mobilization
For many Russians, the election’s significance lies not in the result but in what follows. With Moscow’s troops making little progress at high cost in Ukraine, rumours of another large‑scale mobilisation have spread across the country. The fear is that once the election is safely over and a compliant new Duma is installed, the Kremlin will have greater freedom to pursue unpopular measures it has so far avoided. This anxiety has already prompted some young men to leave the country, hoping to wait out any new mobilisation—echoing the exodus that followed the first wartime draft in September 2022.
A person close to the Kremlin said several friends had sent their sons abroad in recent weeks, a sign that even those with access to the system are uncertain about what will happen after the voting. While Putin has dismissed suggestions of an imminent mobilisation on several occasions, those reassurances have not been enough for some men. Dmitry, for example, flew to Yerevan, Armenia last week, stating that he would wait a few weeks after the elections before deciding whether to return to Russia.
In sum, the 2024 State Duma election is a carefully orchestrated event that reinforces Putin’s dominance while projecting an image of democratic legitimacy. The war in Ukraine, drone attacks, and the looming threat of mobilisation add layers of tension to an already controlled political landscape.
Key facts
- United Russia expected to win the State Duma election in a tightly controlled vote
- Yabloko banned from the ballot, leaving only Kremlin‑aligned opposition parties
- The war in Ukraine and drone attacks have brought the conflict closer to Russian citizens
- The Kremlin’s strategy aims to suppress dissent and maintain legitimacy
- Rumours of a new mobilisation have spurred some Russians to leave the country
Why it matters
The election demonstrates how the Kremlin uses controlled political processes to maintain power and legitimacy while suppressing dissent, all amid a war that increasingly impacts everyday Russian life.
Frequently asked questions
Why was Yabloko removed from the ballot?
Yabloko was the only party openly opposing the Ukraine invasion; its removal prevented an unscripted result that could challenge Kremlin narratives.
What is the "systemic opposition"?
It refers to parties allowed to criticize the government on marginal issues while still supporting United Russia on key matters.
Will the election affect future mobilisations?
The Kremlin may use the new Duma to pursue unpopular measures, including potential mobilisations, once the election is over.
Sources
- [1] theguardian.com — originally reported as “Russians go to polls against backdrop of Ukraine war and Putin’s tightening grip”
