Analysis
"An unconditional lead for United Russia, second place for the Communist Party, and then there's an element of suspense" — TV channels announced the election results but cut their pre-election airtime even further.
15 September 2026
Television broadcast monitoring Russian Federation
"An unconditional lead for United Russia, second place for the Communist Party, and then there's an element of suspense" — TV channels announced the election results but cut their pre-election airtime even further.
Report on monitoring of federal television channels during the thirteenth week (7–13 September) of the election campaign for the election of deputies to the State Duma of the Russian Federation of the ninth convocation, scheduled for 20 September 2026
Putin and Bondarenko are again the main figures in election debates: the CEC annulled Bondarenko’s registration, while Putin backed the initiatives of United Russia’s top five
14 September 2026
Social media monitoring Russian Federation
Putin and Bondarenko are again the main figures in election debates: the CEC annulled Bondarenko’s registration, while Putin backed the initiatives of United Russia’s top five
Report on social media monitoring for the twelfth week (1–7 September) of the election campaign for the elections of deputies to the State Duma of the Russian Federation of the ninth convocation, scheduled for 20 September 2026.
"Who will do the counting?" Parts 3 and 4: Who, who is in charge in the election commission?
10 September 2026
Election commissions Russian Federation
"Who will do the counting?" Parts 3 and 4: Who, who is in charge in the election commission?
Analytical report on the composition of election commissions in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation at the start of the 2026 State Duma elections, in four parts
One for all: United Russia once again had to use Vladimir Putin for its TV campaigning
8 September 2026
Television broadcast monitoring Russian Federation
One for all: United Russia once again had to use Vladimir Putin for its TV campaigning
Monitoring report on federal television channels during the twelfth week (31 August – 6 September) of the election campaign for the elections of deputies to the State Duma of the Russian Federation of the ninth convocation, scheduled for 20 September 2026
"Apple-free" depression: interest in elections has fallen, the LDPR for the first time took the lead because of Slutsky's car accident, Rodina threatens nuclear war
7 September 2026
Social media monitoring Russian Federation
"Apple-free" depression: interest in elections has fallen, the LDPR for the first time took the lead because of Slutsky's car accident, Rodina threatens nuclear war
Social media monitoring report for the eleventh week (25 – 31 August) of the election campaign for the election of deputies of the State Duma of the Russian Federation of the ninth convocation, scheduled for 20 September 2026
KOIB will not be used in the State Duma elections: machine counting in 2024 showed more opposition-leaning results
3 September 2026
Russian Federation
KOIB will not be used in the State Duma elections: machine counting in 2024 showed more opposition-leaning results
The complete absence of PECs at polling stations only reinforces the assumption that the voting results here will be adjusted as needed.
By-elections in the regions: who is leaving regional parliaments and legislative assemblies, and why
2 September 2026
Course of the campaign Republic of BashkortostanRepublic of KalmykiaRepublic of Mari ElThe Republic of Tatarstan (Tatarstan)Republic of TyvaThe Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)Krasnodar KraiKrasnoyarsk KraiKhabarovsk KraiAmur OblastArkhangelsk OblastBelgorod OblastBryansk OblastVologda OblastIrkutsk OblastPenza OblastRostov OblastRyazan OblastTula Oblast
By-elections in the regions: who is leaving regional parliaments and legislative assemblies, and why
On the single voting day in 2026, by-elections will be held to the regional parliaments of 13 constituent entities of the Russian Federation, as well as to the representative bodies of 14 regional capitals.
Spoilers in the arena: TV channels help the Greens hijack New People's agenda
1 September 2026
Television broadcast monitoring Russian Federation
Spoilers in the arena: TV channels help the Greens hijack New People's agenda
Report on monitoring of federal television channels during the eleventh week (24–30 August 2026) of the election campaign for the elections of deputies to the State Duma of the Russian Federation of the ninth convocation, scheduled for 20 September 2026
Bondarenko more popular than Putin: wave of candidate registration cancellations eclipses president's speech
30 August 2026
Social media monitoring Russian Federation
Bondarenko more popular than Putin: wave of candidate registration cancellations eclipses president's speech
Report on social media monitoring during the tenth week of the election campaign for the election of deputies to the State Duma of the Russian Federation of the ninth convocation, scheduled for 20 September 2026.
Putin instead of Yabloko: TV channels try to drown out the agenda with positive coverage of United Russia
25 August 2026
Television broadcast monitoring Russian Federation
Putin instead of Yabloko: TV channels try to drown out the agenda with positive coverage of United Russia
Report on monitoring of federal television channels during the tenth week (17–23 August) of the election campaign for the election of deputies to the State Duma of the Russian Federation of the ninth convocation, scheduled for 20 September 2026
Yabloko's appeal dismissed, Schlosberg sentenced to 11 years: analogue GosMir cracks down on social media
24 August 2026
Social media monitoring Russian Federation
Yabloko's appeal dismissed, Schlosberg sentenced to 11 years: analogue GosMir cracks down on social media
Report on social media monitoring in the ninth week of the election campaign for the election of deputies to the State Duma of the Russian Federation of the ninth convocation, scheduled for 20 September 2026
Features of regional competition in 2026: results of the nomination and registration of candidates and party lists for the regional elections of 20 September 2026
19 August 2026
Nomination and registration Russian Federation
Features of regional competition in 2026: results of the nomination and registration of candidates and party lists for the regional elections of 20 September 2026
Analytical report
Not a word for the defence: TV viewers never once heard the voice of an anti-war party
18 August 2026
Television broadcast monitoring Russian Federation
Not a word for the defence: TV viewers never once heard the voice of an anti-war party
Report on monitoring of federal television channels during the ninth week (10–16 August) of the election campaign for the election of deputies to the State Duma of the Russian Federation of the ninth convocation, scheduled for 20 September 2026
Yabloko removed from the elections: how a single lawsuit shaped the week's agenda on social media
17 August 2026
Social media monitoring Russian Federation
Yabloko removed from the elections: how a single lawsuit shaped the week's agenda on social media
Report on social media monitoring for the eighth week of the election campaign for the election of deputies to the State Duma of the Russian Federation of the ninth convocation, scheduled for 20 September 2026.
In the on-air politics of television channels, sharp changes occurred: Yabloko was criticised, and United Russia began to be praised more actively than before.
11 August 2026
Television broadcast monitoring Russian Federation
In the on-air politics of television channels, sharp changes occurred: Yabloko was criticised, and United Russia began to be praised more actively than before.
Report on monitoring of federal television channels during the eighth week of the election campaign (3–9 August) for the election of deputies to the State Duma of the Russian Federation of the ninth convocation, scheduled for 20 September 2026
Losing Control: Yabloko and New People’s Social Media Popularity Begins to Slip Beyond the Reach of Domestic-Policy Managers
10 August 2026
Social media monitoring Russian Federation
Losing Control: Yabloko and New People’s Social Media Popularity Begins to Slip Beyond the Reach of Domestic-Policy Managers
Social Media Monitoring Report for the Seventh Week of the Election Campaign, 28 July–3 August, Ahead of the Election of Deputies to the Ninth State Duma of the Russian Federation, Scheduled for 20 September 2026
Nomination and Registration of Candidates in the State Duma Elections Scheduled for 20 September 2026
10 August 2026
Nomination and registration Russian Federation
Nomination and Registration of Candidates in the State Duma Elections Scheduled for 20 September 2026
Analytical Report
A Celebration of Shared Misfortune: Federal TV Channels Seek to Project Unified Support for the “Special Military Operation” While Ignoring Yabloko’s “Peace Platform”
4 August 2026
Television broadcast monitoring Russian Federation
A Celebration of Shared Misfortune: Federal TV Channels Seek to Project Unified Support for the “Special Military Operation” While Ignoring Yabloko’s “Peace Platform”
Federal Television Monitoring Report for the Seventh Week of the Election Campaign, 27 July–2 August, Ahead of the Election of Deputies to the Ninth State Duma of the Russian Federation, Scheduled for 20 September 2026
Sympathy Keeps You Warm: Yabloko Closes In on New People on Social Media Following a Wave of Electoral Disqualifications and Repression
3 August 2026
Social media monitoring Russian Federation
Sympathy Keeps You Warm: Yabloko Closes In on New People on Social Media Following a Wave of Electoral Disqualifications and Repression
Social Media Monitoring Report for the Sixth Week of the Election Campaign, 21–27 July, Ahead of the Election of Deputies to the Ninth State Duma of the Russian Federation, Scheduled for 20 September 2026
Know your place: for TV channels, New People and the Communist Party are out of favour, and the "minor parties" do not exist at all
28 July 2026
Television broadcast monitoring Russian Federation
Know your place: for TV channels, New People and the Communist Party are out of favour, and the "minor parties" do not exist at all
Report on the monitoring of federal television channels in the sixth week (20–26 July) of the campaign for the election of deputies to the State Duma of the Russian Federation of the 9th convocation, scheduled for 20 September 2026
Campaigning governors: how United Russia uses official social media accounts to boost its visibility
27 July 2026
Social media monitoring Russian Federation
Campaigning governors: how United Russia uses official social media accounts to boost its visibility
Report on social media monitoring during the fifth week of the campaign for the election of deputies to the State Duma of the Russian Federation of the IX convocation, scheduled for 20 September 2026
"And who will do the counting?" Part 2: The simulation of a multi-party system
22 July 2026
Election commissions Russian Federation
"And who will do the counting?" Part 2: The simulation of a multi-party system
Analytical report on the composition of the election commissions of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation at the start of the 2026 State Duma election campaign, in four parts
Lords of tedium: television channels devote three times less airtime to the elections than in 2021
21 July 2026
Television broadcast monitoring Russian Federation
Lords of tedium: television channels devote three times less airtime to the elections than in 2021
Report on the monitoring of federal television channels in the fifth week of the campaign for the election of deputies to the State Duma of the Russian Federation of the IX convocation, scheduled for 20 September 2026
Not a place for discussion: the number of posts about parties on social media is falling, while people's demand for discussing politics and the economy is growing
20 July 2026
Social media monitoring Russian Federation
Not a place for discussion: the number of posts about parties on social media is falling, while people's demand for discussing politics and the economy is growing
Report on social media monitoring in the fourth week of the campaign for the election of deputies to the State Duma of the Russian Federation of the IX convocation, scheduled for 20 September 2026
Main protagonists: TV channels devoted airtime not to election contestants but to the CEC of Russia
14 July 2026
Television broadcast monitoring Russian Federation
Main protagonists: TV channels devoted airtime not to election contestants but to the CEC of Russia
Report on the monitoring of federal television channels during the fourth week of the campaign for the election of deputies to the State Duma of the Russian Federation of the IX convocation, scheduled for 20 September 2026
Quieter than water, lower than grass: the volume of campaigning on social media has fallen sharply
13 July 2026
Social media monitoring Russian Federation
Quieter than water, lower than grass: the volume of campaigning on social media has fallen sharply
Report on social-media monitoring in the third week of the campaign for the election of deputies to the State Duma of the Russian Federation of the IX convocation, scheduled for 20 September 2026
"And who is going to do the counting?" Part 1: The non-public public
8 July 2026
Election commissions Russian Federation
"And who is going to do the counting?" Part 1: The non-public public
Analytical report on the composition of the election commissions of the subjects of the Russian Federation at the start of the 2026 State Duma election campaign, in four parts
Favourite child: New People have emerged as the leaders in attention from federal TV channels
7 July 2026
PartiesTelevision broadcast monitoring
Favourite child: New People have emerged as the leaders in attention from federal TV channels
Report on the monitoring of federal television channels during the third week of the campaign for the election of deputies to the State Duma of the Russian Federation of the IX convocation, scheduled for 20 September 2026
Thousands of official public pages are illegally campaigning for United Russia
6 July 2026
Social media monitoring Russian Federation
Thousands of official public pages are illegally campaigning for United Russia
Report on social media monitoring in the second week of the campaign for the election of deputies to the State Duma of the Russian Federation of the IX convocation, scheduled for 20 September 2026
Legal parameters of regional parliament elections
2 July 2026
Legislation Russian Federation
Legal parameters of regional parliament elections
How the rules for holding elections and allocating seats in regional parliament elections have changed over five years
Invisible parties: TV channels failed to notice the pre-election congresses of Yabloko, Rodina and the Pensioners' Party
30 June 2026
Television broadcast monitoring Russian Federation
Invisible parties: TV channels failed to notice the pre-election congresses of Yabloko, Rodina and the Pensioners' Party
Report on the monitoring of federal television channels in the second week of the campaign for the election of deputies to the State Duma of the Russian Federation of the IX convocation, scheduled for 20 September 2026
Social media pulse: how political parties are performing in social media at the start of the campaign
28 June 2026
Social media monitoring Russian Federation
Social media pulse: how political parties are performing in social media at the start of the campaign
Report on social-media monitoring during the first week of the campaign for the elections of deputies to the State Duma of the Russian Federation of the IX convocation, scheduled for 20 September 2026
The party system at the start of the 2026 single voting day campaign
24 June 2026
Parties Russian Federation
The party system at the start of the 2026 single voting day campaign
How many parties will be able to contest the State Duma elections, and what happened to those who dropped off the list
In a zone of special inattention: TV channels ignore the start of the election campaign
23 June 2026
PartiesTelevision broadcast monitoring Russian Federation
In a zone of special inattention: TV channels ignore the start of the election campaign
Report on the monitoring of federal television channels during the first week of the election campaign for elections of deputies to the State Duma of the Russian Federation of the ninth convocation, scheduled for 20 September 2026
Changes to federal electoral legislation from July 2021 to May 2026
18 June 2026
Legislation Russian Federation
Changes to federal electoral legislation from July 2021 to May 2026
Analytical report
Regional nomenclature in 2026: evolution and adaptation in new conditions
2 June 2026
Elites Russian Federation
Regional nomenclature in 2026: evolution and adaptation in new conditions
Full text of Alexander Kynev's report We are publishing the full text of Alexander Kynev's report
A bet on the status quo, administrative mobilisation and hypothetical signs of the beginning of political activation
24 November 2025
Election campaign results Russian Federation
A bet on the status quo, administrative mobilisation and hypothetical signs of the beginning of political activation
Overall results of the 2025 election campaign and prospects for the 2026 elections
Managed competition in 2025: contraction to the parliamentary parties
10 September 2025
Nomination and registration Russian Federation
Managed competition in 2025: contraction to the parliamentary parties
Results of the nomination and registration of candidates and party lists in the regional and local elections scheduled for 14 September 2025
Review of the outcomes of nomination and registration of candidates for heads of regions in the elections scheduled for 14 September 2025
8 September 2025
Nomination and registration Russian Federation
Review of the outcomes of nomination and registration of candidates for heads of regions in the elections scheduled for 14 September 2025
The powers of Yelena Mayatnikova, a voting member of the Pskov Oblast Election Commission, were terminated early following a court ruling on interference in the elections. Mayatnikova had been a member of the commission representing the Yabloko party since 2016. She is a retired prosecution service official and worked for 17 years in the supervisory system.
Index of (un)free elections of regional heads
8 September 2025
Nomination and registration Russian Federation
Index of (un)free elections of regional heads
Despite the general trends in domestic politics, Russia remains a large and diverse country in which elections can differ profoundly in substance and in form — in some places there has been no political competition at all for a couple of decades already, while in others a hidden or even open struggle between elites continues, and independent candidates are nominated who stand against the incumbent heads of regions.