Russia Holds Parliamentary Elections Amid War in Ukraine

Russia is holding its first nationwide parliamentary elections since the start of the war in Ukraine. The vote, which began on Friday and will continue until Sunday, is seen as a way for the Kremlin to mobilize public support for the war and legitimize its actions. The ruling United Russia party, led by President Vladimir Putin, is expected to maintain its overwhelming grip on the State Duma, the lower house of parliament. However, the war and recent drone attacks have caused significant damage to the Russian economy and affected public sentiment. Despite this, Putin's approval ratings remain high, and the outcome of the election is widely expected to be a foregone conclusion.