Putin's First Reaction to Election Results: Message to Frontline Troops

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the high turnout in weekend parliamentary elections shows Russians support the military fighting in Ukraine and the government's national security efforts, according to Reuters. The pro-Kremlin United Russia party retained its parliamentary majority, with Monday's results showing 57% support and a record 355 seats in the State Duma, nearly 80% of the total. The EU called the vote a "sham of democracy," while independent outlet Novaya Gazeta Europa claimed the party's actual score was 1.7 times lower than officially announced. Putin framed the election as a test of popular support for the war, praising the 59.3% turnout as "record" and directly telling frontline soldiers, "This vote is for you. People believe in you, in our victory, in your courage and heroism." Additionally, 49 Ukraine war veterans will take seats, occupying roughly 1 in 10 spots in the 450-member lower house.