Russia: Putin party retains majority in controlled parliamentary vote

Russia 's electoral commission on Monday said that the ruling United Russia party has won the parliamentary election . It's the first parliamentary poll since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and President Vladimir Putin has cast it as a referendum of support for what is termed in Russia, the "special military operation." Parties that support Putin and the Kremlin's war in Ukraine are the only ones registered to run, and the opposition was barred from taking part. The polls took place amid rising prices, a crackdown on political opponents and the internet, fuel shortages and rumors of another mobilization drive following the elections.