Putin says Duma vote will show "millions of people stand behind our soldiers"

Russia is holding elections for all 450 State Duma seats, with polls open Friday through Sunday. The pro-Kremlin United Russia party is expected to keep its majority; anti-war parties were excluded, including Yabloko, the only registered anti-war party, which the highest court barred after a nationalist party accused it of illegal foreign funding and copyright violations. In a televised message before voting, President Vladimir Putin cast the election as a way for citizens to affirm support for the military and social cohesion. Analysts say the Kremlin will treat the results as a gauge of public backing for the Ukraine war, while Western officials and Ukraine are preparing for possible escalation after the vote. Putin has said Russia has no aggressive intentions toward Europe.