Ukraine pummels Moscow with drones on last day of Russian election

On Sunday, the final day of Russia's parliamentary election, Ukraine launched what Moscow's mayor described as the largest drone attack on the capital. The attack aimed to disrupt the election, which President Vladimir Putin has framed as a referendum on his war in Ukraine. Local authorities reported that two people died in the Moscow region and that the capital's oil refinery was struck. Witnesses observed explosions and smoke emanating from the refinery. The extent of the damage to the refinery was not immediately clear, and Ukraine had not issued an official statement.

On the final day of Russia's parliamentary elections, hundreds of drones targeted Moscow and its surrounding region, resulting in at least two deaths and damage to a major oil refinery. Moscow's mayor reported that over 1,600 drones were intercepted, with 450 aimed at the capital. Authorities accused Ukraine of attempting to disrupt the election, though Ukraine has not commented on the attacks. The strikes occurred as Ukraine has intensified its drone campaign against Russian energy infrastructure. A fire at a 21-story building, triggered by a drone crash, led to the evacuation of 400 people. The election is set to solidify President Vladimir Putin's grip on power, with only pro-Kremlin parties registered to run.

Moscow experienced an "unprecedented" drone attack on the final day of its parliamentary elections, resulting in two fatalities and damage to a major oil refinery. Moscow's Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported intercepting over 1,600 drones, with 450 targeting the capital, and accused Ukraine of attempting to interfere with the elections. A 44-year-old woman and an elderly man were killed in separate incidents, and a drone strike on a building led to the evacuation of 400 people. The Moscow Oil Refinery sustained damage, though no casualties were reported there. This attack is part of Ukraine's intensified drone campaign against Russian energy infrastructure.

Russia's Central Election Commission reported powerful, ongoing cyberattacks on the country's electronic voting systems and communication lines on the second day of a three-day parliamentary election. The attacks, described as large-scale and intense, have been targeting Moscow's electronic voting system since Friday night. Despite the cyber activity, the system is reportedly operating normally. This election is the first since Russia's invasion of Ukraine and is expected to gauge public support for the war. Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of attempting to hinder the vote, an accusation Kyiv has not addressed. Most antiwar candidates were excluded from the ballot prior to the election.

Russia's upcoming elections are expected to yield predictable results, with all registered parties in the Duma demonstrating unanimous support for the "special military operation" by voting in favor of related legislation. While these "systemic" parties differ in ideology, they function as integral components of the Kremlin's political apparatus. The exclusion of the anti-war party Yabloko from the national ballot, following its call for a ceasefire, and the subsequent detention and prosecution of its candidates in individual races, suggest Kremlin concern over potential anti-war sentiment among voters. This demonstrates the Kremlin's control over the electoral landscape, ensuring legislative alignment and limiting dissenting voices.