Russians vote in elections with no party opposing Putin or war in Ukraine

Russians began voting Friday in a tightly controlled three-day election that will likely see President Vladimir Putin tighten his grip on power after 26 years at the helm, as Russia's all-out war in Ukraine continues well into its fifth year. Only parties backing Putin and his war in Ukraine are on the ballot: the ruling United Russia, the Communist Party, A Just Russia, the nationalist LDPR and New People. Yabloko, Russia's only publicly anti-war party still operating inside the country, was barred from participating. The party saw a surge in social media support, particularly among young people, after it was initially allowed to stand.