Putin says Russian election result shows public support for Kremlin policies

President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that Russia's first wartime parliamentary election, which strengthened the Kremlin's legislative control, demonstrated public support for his policies. He made the remarks in his first public response to the vote outcome. With over 97% of ballots counted, United Russia secured more than three-fourths of State Duma seats, a record high, amid tightly controlled voting that excluded genuine opposition. Turnout exceeded 59% of 111 million eligible voters, the highest in over a decade. The election included illegally annexed Ukrainian regions and occurred amid Ukrainian drone attacks, including a massive strike on Moscow that killed three people. Putin framed the vote as a rejection of intimidation, while Kyiv denounced voting in occupied territories as illegal.