Over the voting weekend, Ukraine intensified attacks on Russian territory with drones, missiles, and cyber operations, deploying more than 1,600 drones and striking Moscow with hundreds of them, causing casualties including three deaths and multiple injuries.

Early indicators point to Putin’s party securing a solid majority in the Duma, with estimates around 315 seats and media framing any result above 300 as favorable.

Voter turnout surpassed 52.6% nationwide, with no broad abstention signal against the war, and Moscow’s online voting drew strong participation, exceeding 2.8 million voters and about 82% online turnout.

Russia’s Central Electoral Commission head described the cyber operations as highly professional and coordinated, employing AI-based tools, while Putin accused Ukraine of attempting interference in cyberspace.

The article notes the United Party led by Putin is expected to win a larger share of the Duma, with turnout above 2021 levels and strong online voting in Moscow, and high turnout reported in occupied Ukrainian regions.

Cyberattacks targeted Russia’s election infrastructure, including a major DDoS assault on Moscow’s remote online voting system, with renewed emphasis on online platforms and potential sabotage in Russia’s Far East regions.

Zelensky framed the Ukrainian offensive as a message to Russians and an effort to apply economic pressure by targeting fuel refining infrastructure, while Moscow officials cast drone strikes as attempts to disrupt elections.

Attacks caused civilian casualties in Moscow region (Kotelniki) and Belgorod, and one election worker died in occupied Kherson, with strikes also affecting Kyiv and other regions.