Russia holds nationwide Duma elections as war in Ukraine reshapes vote

Loading the video No Comment Video. Russia holds nationwide Duma elections as war in Ukraine reshapes vote Copy/paste the link below: Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Updated: 18/09/2026 - 11:41 GMT+2 Russia’s parliamentary election is under way, with voting beginning in the Far East on Friday, 18 September before spreading across the country for three days. Polls will remain open until Sunday evening, when voters will have chosen all 450 members of the State Duma. Russia has begun a three-day parliamentary election to fill all 450 seats in the State Duma, with about 111 million people eligible to vote. Polling stations opened first in Kamchatka, Chukotka, Magadan and other eastern regions, where local officials urged residents to turn out. The Kremlin is closely watching participation, with Vladimir Putin presenting high turnout as a sign of national unity and support for the war in Ukraine. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The vote is taking place in a tightly controlled political environment. United Russia is expected to remain dominant, while the main registered anti-war party, Yabloko, has been excluded from the national party-list ballot. Some of its candidates are still running in individual constituencies, although many have also been barred from those races. The election also includes remote electronic voting in several regions and is being held in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, including Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, as well as Crimea. Ukraine and Western governments consider the polls there illegal. Outside Russia, 333 polling stations are operating in 152 countries, while early voting has already taken place in remote areas and among soldiers. The election comes as the war increasingly affects daily life across Russia, with drone attacks, fuel shortages, economic pressure and renewed fears of mobilisation adding to the tensions surrounding the vote. Russia The State Duma Parliamentary elections Vladimir Putin War in Ukraine Kremlin Top stories Now playing Next Russia holds nationwide Duma elections as war in Ukraine reshapes vote Now playing Next Missile-shaped signs and Netanyahu masks as Israelis rally to protect October vote Now playing Next Protesters target OpenAI and Anthropic in San Francisco over AI safety fears Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | September 18th, 2026 – Morning Now playing Next Canadians react to EU's ‘associate member’ proposal Now playing Next Trump touts 'major progress' towards setting up US base in Poland Now playing Next Russia, China block US push to maintain UN oversight of Iran sanctions Now playing Next Metsola: Australia, New Zealand could be next EU 'associated members' Now playing Next Carney hails EU-Canada alliance but draws lines on membership Now playing Next Trump determined to end Iran war soon, senior adviser tells Euronews Now playing Next Sweden's centre-left narrowly win election Now playing Next US Congress approves Russia sanctions Now playing Next Child protection is not 'only one party's responsibility', business group says Now playing Next Europeans still believe in the European dream. They just don't think it's within reach, study finds Now playing Next 'Best thing Europe can do' is focus on its internal market, World Economic Forum expert says Now playing Next EU-Canada relationship is 'not hostile to anybody', Harris says ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT No Comment From horse-drawn ploughs to autonomous tractors at Ireland’s ploughing show No Comment Watch: Carney backs closer EU ties, draws applause at European Parliament No Comment Valencia region deluge leaves streets covered in mud and vehicles unusable in Torrent No Comment Torrential rains flood Valencia and Catalonia, killing driver in Spain Europe Today Europe Today: Canada welcomes EU's 'associate member' offer, but what next? Earth News Greenland and Antarctica have lost 12 trillion tonnes of ice since 1979 Europe News Greek parliament lifts Avramopoulos immunity for Brussels corruption probe Tech News King Charles urges tech bosses to keep AI under human control United Arab Emirates Trump determined to end Iran war soon, US president's senior adviser tells Euronews Europe News Brussels seeks 'credible' outcome in EU-China talks after key negotiators’ call Europe News Sweden's centre-left win election as right wing bloc suffers narrow defeat Travel News From F1 to FIBA: Qatar unveils packed calendar of global events ADVERTISEMENT Europe Today Watch: European Commissioners react to Ursula von der Leyen's speech Europe in Motion Space economy report: Who's winning the race in Europe? Kazakhstan Euronews Debates: unlocking Kazakhstan’s potential as a regional trade hub Business Germany's missile stockpiles 'worryingly low', Rheinmetall CEO tells Euronews United Arab Emirates Day two in Dubai: The region makes its case for telling its own story Europe News Carney hails EU-Canada alliance but draws lines on membership and sovereignty Destinations Gran Canaria: how an Atlantic island is emphasising its year-round appeal USA US denies Palestine leader Abbas a visa to UN summit for second year running ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT