Russian voters began casting ballots Friday for the lower house of parliament in a 3 day process that spans the mainland and occupied regions of Ukraine. Ukraine's military launched a barrage of UAVs that disrupted polling in Sochi and forced voters into shelters, while Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported more than 350 drones targeted the capital region. Russia's Defense Ministry claimed air defenses intercepted 629 Ukrainian UAVs across several regions between Sept 17 and Sept 18.

Central Election Commission data shows a 6.48% turnout by 12:00 Moscow time on the first day. The ballot is limited to parties supporting President Vladimir Putin and the military campaign, with voting organized in the occupied Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions. Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated the results from those territories have no legal force and called the proceedings a farce.