Russia heads to parliamentary vote amid growing public anxiety over war
A poll shows rising war fatigue and concern among Russians as the country prepares for its first State Duma election since the conflict began, with opposition groups urging voters to express dissent.
A state poll conducted by FOM found that nearly half of respondents perceive a prevailing sense of alarm in their surroundings, while independent pollster ExtremeScan reported that 60% say the war in Ukraine has negatively affected daily life. Sociologist Margarita Zavadskaya of the Finnish Institute of International Affairs linked the anxiety to growing uncertainty, citing rising prices, internet restrictions, fuel shortages from Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries and rumors of further mobilization as factors that hinder long-term planning.
The upcoming State Duma election, scheduled for September 18-20, will be the first parliamentary vote held during the war. Although official results are expected to favor United Russia, the ruling party, Kremlin officials will closely watch voter turnout as a gauge of public loyalty. Opposition figure Ilya Yashin said the election is crucial for President Vladimir Putin to demonstrate support for the “party of war” and legitimize further escalation.
Despite widespread support for the government, a Levada Center poll indicates that six in ten Russians favor peace negotiations. Opposition leader Yulia Galyamina described a “silent majority” that wants an end to the conflict, even as many still back Putin. The liberal Yabloko party, the only registered anti-war force, saw its support rise to about 18% in an ExtremeScan survey, but a court ruling barred it from the ballot.
In response, opposition activists such as Yulia Navalnaya and Maxim Katz have called on voters to back any party other than United Russia, while Yabloko urges supporters to spoil their ballots. Yashin emphasized that turnout itself can signal dissent, stating that “the queues at noon are made up of people who do not want the war to continue.” A DW Russian reader survey showed mixed intentions, with some planning to vote to register a stance and others choosing to abstain to avoid legitimising the regime.