A covert conflict is unfolding within the corridors of Russian power, one that could alter the country's political calendar. Security forces, specifically the leadership of the FSB and Rosgvardia, are attempting to persuade Vladimir Putin to postpone the scheduled elections to the State Duma. The initiative, which was first raised in the spring of 2026, is gaining renewed relevance against the backdrop of intensified drone attacks on Moscow and a deteriorating economic situation.

The Security Forces' Position: "No Person, No Problem"

According to the publication "Meduza," the idea of postponing the vote is being actively lobbied by heads of intelligence agencies, including the head of Rosgvardia, Viktor Zolotov — a long-time ally and former bodyguard of the president. Their argumentation is based on a pragmatic approach to current realities: budget deficits, inflation, and the reduction of social spending inevitably hit the ruling party's ratings.

One of the publication's sources, close to the administration, describes the logic of the security forces as follows: "It is clear that the situation is only getting worse, and this always reflects on the ratings of the authorities. Despite all the control, holding elections under such conditions is a bold task. And in their philosophy, there is no person, no problem".

The Kremlin's Response: Demonstrating Stability

Despite the persistence of the security forces, Vladimir Putin remains in favor of holding the elections on the scheduled dates. According to a source in the Presidential Administration, refusing to hold the vote would be an admission that plans have been disrupted and the country is in a state of emergency.

"There are no elections in Ukraine, but we have them. This is a serious political moment," the "Meduza" interlocutor is quoted as saying. "But for now, we are doing everything to demonstrate that everything is normal".

Furthermore, for key figures in the Kremlin, such as Sergey Kiriyenko and Dmitry Gromov, federal elections are an opportunity to prove their usefulness and loyalty to the leader. In the spring, they already managed to convince Putin that the voting must be held despite any difficulties.

The Base Scenario and Security Threats

At the moment, there are no official documents on the postponement of the elections on the president's desk. The Central Election Commission has already announced the voting dates — September 18–20. Sources call this option the "base scenario".

However, external factors are creating serious pressure on the security system. Attacks on the capital of Russia have noticeably intensified recently:

  • On June 18, Ukrainian drones struck the Moscow Oil Refinery in Kapotnya, causing a massive fire. Residents of the surrounding areas complained of an "oil rain".
  • The next day, Moscow was hit again. Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported the shooting down of about 35 drones.
  • On the night of June 22, the capital was attacked by about 60 drones, forcing the capital's airports to introduce operational restrictions.

A technologist cooperating with the political bloc of the Presidential Administration summarizes the situation as follows: "Chaos in a circle. I would postpone or cancel it myself under such conditions". However, for now, the Kremlin is sticking to the course of holding the elections, ignoring the alarm signals from the security forces.