File photo: Russian President Vladimir Putin (Picture credit: AP)
More than 97% of the votes had been counted, with United Russia expected to win more than three-fourths of the 450 seats in the State Duma, according to election officials cited by news agency AP.
Putin, speaking publicly about the results for the first time, said turnout demonstrated support for the government’s policies. “Such a high, even record, number of people who came out and voted shows that the people of Russia support our efforts aimed at strengthening the country,” he said, according to Reuters. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday said high voter turnout in the country’s parliamentary election showed public support for his policies and for the armed forces fighting in Ukraine, after preliminary results gave his United Russia party a record parliamentary majority.
Russia’s defence ministry said it had shot down 1,110 drones overnight on Sunday.
People believe in you, believe in our victory, believe in your courage, in your heroism,” he said. Putin further said, “I have no doubt that all the goals we set for the special military operation will be fulfilled,” using the Kremlin’s term for the war. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said 450 drones targeting the capital were downed in what he described as the city’s “largest ever” attack.
“This vote is for you.