#State Duma Elections

The European Union stated that it does not recognize the 'elections' to the Russian State Duma held in the occupied territories of Ukraine and intends to impose sanctions on the organizers of the voting and on the candidates.

ISW: On the last day of the State Duma 'elections,' Moscow authorities did not activate sirens or send SMS during a record drone attack so as not to lower turnout. The Ukrainian side confirmed a strike on the Moscow Oil Refinery.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov publicly threatened Europe with a "very short war" in the event of an attack on Russia and stated that a settlement in Ukraine means the fulfillment of the "initial tasks of the special military operation."

Ukraine's FSS warned that Russian special services may stage terrorist attacks and sabotage on 18–20 September on the occupied territories during the sham State Duma elections, pinning them on Ukraine. The intelligence service urges residents of the TOT to avoid gatherings of people from 17 to 21 September.

The Kremlin delayed the start of the meeting with Trump's envoys Witkoff and Kushner by several hours, forcing them to have lunch with Dmitriev. Media link the gesture to Putin's pre-election display of influence.

The Sociological Association of Ukraine stated that the RF is preparing so-called State Duma elections in the occupied territories for 18–20 September 2026. Kyiv, the UN and the OSCE do not recognize their legality, while disputed rumors of mobilization surround the campaign.

In Sakhalin, a military Mi-8 carrying an election commission representative and journalists lost altitude and made an emergency landing on a highway in the Dolinsky district. According to official data, people sustained only minor injuries.

Russian officials do not rule out the introduction of martial law after the State Duma elections. Experts cite a failure at the front and the need to "fight with the whole country" as triggers. 🇷🇺⚔️