Polls opened in the Far East on Friday to begin the process of electing representatives for the national legislature. President Vladimir Putin's United Russia party is positioned to maintain its grip on the State Duma in the first contest since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, with voting continuing through Sunday.

The ruling party has governed Russia for more than 20 years and is favored to win alongside a small number of aligned factions. The Kremlin is using the three day vote to gauge public support for the war as meaningful political opposition is sidelined and Ukrainian strikes reach deep inside the country.