September 18, 2026
Russia votes in occupied Ukraine amid ongoing Ukraine strikes live
What we know
- Ukraine continues military strikes during Russia's parliamentary elections.
- Overnight exchanges of attacks between Russia and Ukraine have occurred amid the election period.
- The Kremlin's ruling party, United Russia, is expected to retain control in the elections.
- Opposition parties critical of the war are absent from the ballot, indicating a constrained political environment.
Live updates
Publication times are shown in US Eastern Time and UTC. Event times are stated in the update text when confirmed.
Ukraine Strikes Persist as Russia Votes in Parliamentary Elections
As Russians head to the polls for parliamentary elections, Ukraine continues its strikes, underscoring ongoing conflict tensions. Overnight exchanges of attacks between Russia and Ukraine occurred despite the electoral process proceeding. The Kremlin's dominant party, United Russia, is expected to maintain control, with opposition voices critical of the war notably absent from the ballot, reflecting the constrained political environment surrounding the vote.
What we’ll be tracking
Why it matters
Ukraine's continued strikes during Russia's parliamentary elections highlight ongoing military tensions despite political events.
The absence of opposition voices critical of the war in the elections underscores a constrained political landscape in Russia.
The expected dominance of United Russia reflects the Kremlin's maintained control amid the conflict.