Russians go to polls against backdrop of Ukraine war and Putin’s tightening grip

President’s United Russia party faces no meaningful opposition after liberal anti-war party barred from ballot

Russians are going to the polls to elect a new State Duma in a tightly controlled vote stripped of meaningful competition and with little doubt about the result.

Vladimir Putin’s United Russia is expected to extend the grip on parliament it has held for 23 years, alongside a handful of nominal opposition parties that reliably vote with the Kremlin on the issues that matter. The three-day vote begins on Friday, with results expected after polls close on Sunday.