Russians vote in tightly controlled Duma election as Ukraine war weighs on the campaign

Russians began voting on Friday in a three-day State Duma election, with results due after polls close Sunday. Vladimir Putin's United Russia is expected to extend its 23-year grip on parliament, facing only nominal opposition parties like the Communists and the far-right Liberal Democrats. Last month authorities barred Yabloko, the liberal anti-war party, from the ballot, removing the only political force openly opposing the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The vote comes as Ukrainian drone strikes have hit Russian oil refineries, factories and logistics hubs over the summer.