Russia's Ruling Party Wins Landslide in Election Ukraine Calls Illegitimate

Russia's ruling United Russia party is heading for a landslide victory in the country's first parliamentary election since the Ukraine war began, securing 57.5% of the vote in partial results. The three-day vote for the 450-seat Duma concluded Sunday with a 56.66% turnout. The election was held without significant opposition, with parties like the Communist Party and LDPR far behind. Russia conducted voting in four illegally annexed Ukrainian provinces and Crimea, which Ukraine has denounced as illegitimate and urged other nations not to recognize. The European Union called the move a clear violation of international law. Opposition parties and observers reported irregularities, including ballot boxes found open. The Kremlin barred the anti-war Yabloko party and jailed dissidents, while Ukraine launched widespread drone attacks on Russian cities on the final voting day.