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Nearly 200 war veterans are candidates in Russia's parliamentary election amid ongoing conflict
In Russia, parliamentary elections are underway, featuring nearly 200 candidates who are veterans of the Ukraine war. President Vladimir Putin has presented these elections as a demonstration of national unity and support for military efforts. The ruling United Russia party is expected to maintain its dominance, while opposition parties have been excluded from the ballot, raising concerns about the legitimacy of the electoral process.

Updated Sep 18, 2026 First reported Sep 16, 2026