Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, September 16, 2026 - Institute for the Study of War

Russian President Vladimir Putin is framing the State Duma elections as a referendum on his war in Ukraine after setting conditions to ensure his desired outcome. Putin stated on September 16 that participating in the State Duma elections scheduled for September 18-20 is a “responsibility” for all Russian citizens and contributes to strengthening Russia against external actors who seek to weaken Russia and undermine Russian sovereignty.[1] Putin stated that voting is a “common contribution” to Russia’s victory in its war in Ukraine and highlighted that residents of “Donbas and Novorossiya” — referring to the four Ukrainian oblasts that Russia illegally annexed in 2022 — will vote in the Duma elections for the first time.