Russia holds nationwide Duma elections as war in Ukraine reshapes vote

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. 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.