Russia's parliamentary elections in question as officials raise security concerns
Photo: Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
Security officials are trying to convince Vladimir Putin to postpone the State Duma elections. Following the drone attacks on Moscow, such ideas have been voiced more frequently, according to the Russian agency Meduza.
Who wants to cancel elections and why
The idea is being pushed by FSB leaders and Rosgvardia Chief Viktor Zolotov, a friend and former bodyguard of Vladimir Putin. Talk of postponing the elections first emerged in the spring of 2026.
The security forces’ arguments:
- United Russia’s approval rating has fallen to 35% according to the Public Opinion Foundation and the All-Russian Center for Public Opinion Research, and even lower according to Federal Security Service polls
- Economic problems are mounting—layoffs at enterprises, rising prices, and a gasoline shortage
- Following Ukrainian drone strikes on Moscow, discussions about canceling the election have become significantly more frequent.
"Budget problems have begun, along with continuing price increases, budget cuts, and layoffs. The situation is only getting worse, and this always affects the government’s approval ratings. Even with all the control in place, holding elections under such conditions is a bold undertaking. And in their philosophy, if there are no people, there is no problem," says one of Meduza’s sources, who is close to the Russian presidential administration.
Who opposes cancellation
The security forces are facing opposition from several players at once:
- Dmitry Medvedev—deputy chairman of the Security Council, who wants to head the United Russia list and become speaker of the State Duma
- Sergei Kirienko—head of the presidential administration’s political division
- Alexei Gromov—head of the presidential administration’s communications division.
For Kirienko and Gromov, the federal elections are an opportunity to prove their value to Putin. Back in the spring, they had already managed to convince Putin that the elections were necessary despite all the difficulties.
Putin’s position
According to Meduza’s sources, Putin himself is in favor of holding the elections. A source close to the Presidential Administration explains his reasoning as follows:
"There are no elections in Ukraine, but we have them. This is a significant political point. Second, canceling the elections would mean admitting that our plans have been disrupted and that the situation is an emergency. But for now, we’re doing everything we can to show that everything is normal," the agency quotes him as saying.
At the same time, a source in the Presidential Administration clarifies that there are no documents regarding a postponement on the president’s desk.
How could elections be postponed technically
Legally, there are two ways to cancel the elections:
- Declare martial law or a state of emergency—not even nationwide, but only in certain regions
- Declare a state of heightened alert.
The State Duma elections are officially scheduled for September 18–20. The Central Election Commission has already announced the dates. Meduza’s sources describe holding the vote as the base scenario.
"It’s a vicious cycle. Under such conditions, I myself would postpone or cancel the election," concludes a political strategist who works with the Presidential Administration’s political bloc and regional administrations.
Attacks on Moscow
Attacks on the Russian capital have intensified significantly in recent times.
On June 18, Ukrainian drones struck the Moscow oil refinery in Kapotnya, causing a major fire at the facility.
This attack was described as the largest in the past two years, and residents of some Moscow neighborhoods complained of oil rain.
The following day, attacks on the Russian capital continued. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin stated that approximately 35 drones had allegedly been shot down.
On the night of June 22, Moscow was attacked by about six dozen drones. The city’s airports imposed operational restrictions.
