Russia says destroyed dozens of Ukrainian drones as polling stations open

Russia destroyed a wave of Ukrainian drones bound for Moscow, the city’s mayor said Friday, as polling stations opened for the country’s first parliamentary election since the start of the war.

While few doubt President Vladimir Putin’s party will sail to victory again, the vote will serve as a barometer for feelings on the war that has killed hundreds of thousands and undermined the daily lives of Russians.

“More than 350 UAVs flew towards the Moscow region between 8.00pm (1700 GMT) on Sept 17 and 7.00am on Sept 18,” mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Telegram.

“Most were reportedly destroyed at the outer defensive perimeter, including 64 UAVs intercepted while approaching Moscow.”

Putin has ruled Russia since New Year’s Eve 1999, and his United Russia party has dominated Russian politics since the early 2000s.

Moscow has banned criticism of its Ukraine campaign, and the Russian elections, tightly controlled by the Kremlin, are bringing few surprises.

The vote to renew the 450 seats in the Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament, will run until 1800 GMT on Sunday.