Putin urges Russians to vote in parliamentary election

Russian President Vladimir Putin frames participation in his country's upcoming parliamentary election as a barometer of support for the war in Ukraine.

This, as he urges Russians to vote.

Russia holds a three-day parliamentary election starting on Friday to choose the composition of its 450-seat lower house of parliament, the State Duma, which has a track record of faithfully approving the Kremlin's initiatives.

It is the first parliamentary election since Russia launched its full-scale war in Ukraine in February 2022.

The political system is tightly controlled and the ruling United Russia party, backed by Putin, is widely expected to retain its dominance.

In a televised address to the nation ahead of the vote, Putin says the ballot would serve as a collective response to those seeking to weaken Russia, hinder its development and deprive it of its sovereignty.