On the 8th, the three-day voting period for Russia’s unified local elections closed and the votes were counted. According to TASS and other news agencies, in the gubernatorial election for the western Kursk Oblast, where cross-border attacks by the Ukrainian military continue, Acting Governor Smirnov, nominated by Putin’s ruling party United Russia, won with about 65% of the votes. The voter turnout was over 61%. By holding the election even though part of the oblast is occupied, it is believed that the aim is to demonstrate that the country is in “peacetime.”

In the mayoral elections, candidates affiliated with United Russia won in all 21 federal entities (local governments) where elections were held. The party fielded candidates in 20 entities, and in the Far Eastern Zabaikaly region where it did not field a candidate, the incumbent governor it supported was re-elected.

United Russia won 38 of the 45 seats in the Moscow city council and 545 of the 659 seats in the 13 local councils.

The Putin regime is likely to use United Russia’s “crushing victory” to justify its military operation against Ukraine by arguing that it has broad public support.

However, in Russia, the main opposition parties have become pro-establishment opposition parties, and there are restrictions on anti-establishment candidates running for office. The merits of military operations were not even considered an issue in the election.

As a special measure, early voting began in late August in the Kursk Oblast. Elections for district mayors and other elections were postponed in municipalities in the oblast that are in areas occupied by Ukrainian forces. (Yuichi Onoda)