Supporters of President Vladimir Putin and his war in Ukraine were set to win gubernatorial races across Russia, according to early vote counts on Sunday.
Vote Counts In Kursk
These include vote counts in Kursk where Ukrainian forces have seized control of some towns and territory.
Russia’s three-day local and regional elections came to an end on Sunday evening.
Preference For Kremlin-Backed Candidates
Voters were expected to elect Kremlin-backed candidates in all 21 gubernatorial races, as well as legislative assembly members in 13 regions and city council officials across the country.
Results of the tightly controlled elections are already being interpreted in Russia as a vote of confidence in Putin and his operation in Ukraine. now in its third year.
Election In March
The election in March extended the presidential term of Putin.
Putin, 71, won the Presidential elections by securing 87.97 per cent of the votes.
The results were declared on March 17.
With a six-year term set to follow, he will become Russia’s longest-serving leader in more than 200 years.
A War Is on, Says Chairman Of The United Russia Party
“Let’s be honest: there is a war going on. Our task is to defeat former Russian president said.
Dmitry is now the chairman of the ruling United Russia party said on Sunday
“It is extremely important not to lose the trust of the citizens of Russia, our comrades, during this period.”
Kursk Region
In the border Kursk region, the acting governor leads the race with more than half of the vote counted.
The Kremlin was caught by surprise here in August by an ongoing incursion by Ukrainian forces.
Alexei Smirnov, who has led the region since May, has received nearly 66% of the vote so far, according to data from the Russian Central Election Commission.
Igor Artamov Gets Huge Vote Share
In the Lipetsk region in Russia’s southwest – a frequent target of Ukrainian drone attacks – the current governor and United Russia candidate, Igor Artamonov, has received 80% of votes with nearly all votes counted.
Oleg Matytsin Leading
Former Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin, also of United Russia, is leading in the by-election to the lower-house State Duma, in the border Bryansk region.
This area is also frequently affected by Ukrainian air attacks.
(With Inputs From Reuters)
