Russia has opened its first parliamentary election since it invaded Ukraine, with no antiwar party on the ballot, while Ukraine launched a drone barrage as the vote got under way.
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Key facts
- Russia has opened its first parliamentary election since the invasion of Ukraine, according to Al Jazeera.
- No antiwar party is on the ballot, according to Al Jazeera.
- Ukraine fired a drone barrage as the election began.
- Millions of people are voting to choose a new lower house of Parliament.
Russia’s first parliamentary election since its invasion of Ukraine has opened, with Ukraine firing a drone barrage as the vote got under way, according to Al Jazeera.
The election is taking place with no antiwar party on the ballot, Al Jazeera reported. The absence of any such option shapes the choices available to voters as the country goes to the polls during the ongoing war.
Millions of people are casting ballots to choose a new lower house of Parliament, according to Al Jazeera. The vote represents the first nationwide parliamentary contest held since the conflict with Ukraine began.
The timing of the vote coincided with a drone barrage fired by Ukraine, according to Al Jazeera, underscoring the wartime context in which the election is unfolding.
The significance of elections in Russia has been the subject of debate, with Al Jazeera examining in an accompanying report whether votes in the country make a difference to the direction of policy and power.
Al Jazeera’s coverage frames the election against the backdrop of a war that continues to influence political life in both Russia and Ukraine, with the ballot proceeding despite the fighting.
Why it matters
The election is the first nationwide parliamentary vote in Russia since the invasion of Ukraine, offering a window into the country's political landscape during wartime. With no antiwar party on the ballot, the choices available to voters raise questions about the extent to which the vote reflects public sentiment on the conflict.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an antiwar party on the ballot in Russia's election?
No. According to Al Jazeera, Russia's first parliamentary election since the invasion of Ukraine has opened with no antiwar party on the ballot.
What are Russians voting for?
According to Al Jazeera, millions of people are choosing a new lower house of Parliament.
What happened as the election opened?
According to Al Jazeera, Ukraine fired a drone barrage as Russia's election got under way.
Timeline
- Ukraine launches heavy Moscow drone attack as Russia votes
CNBC Top News: The State Duma vote, the first since Russia launched its full-scale war in Ukraine, is likely to see the ruling United Russia party easily retain its dominance.
- Russia’s elections are more than political theatre
Al Jazeera: For the Kremlin, parliamentary elections remain a mechanism for political participation, feedback and legitimacy.
- Do elections in Russia make a difference?
Al Jazeera: Millions of people are choosing a new lower house of Parliament.
- Ukraine fires drone barrage as Russia launches elections
Al Jazeera: Russia's first parliamentary election since the invasion opens with no antiwar party on the ballot.