19 September 2026 | 14:12

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Russia’s electronic voting system, used during the second of three days of elections, was targeted by “powerful” cyberattacks overnight, according to Ella Pamfilova, chair of the Russian Central Election Commission. Pamfilova did not provide further details about the attack’s nature or who was responsible. “Throughout the night, Moscow’s system was subjected to a very powerful and continuous attack,” she told the state news agency RIA, adding that the assault is ongoing and “practically nonstop.”

Yesterday, President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of trying to “disrupt” the vote, an allegation Kyiv — which has called the Russian elections a sham — did not respond to. Only parties that back Putin and the Kremlin’s military campaign were registered to run. Voting is also taking place in parts of eastern Ukraine under Russian occupation. The elections, which will determine all 450 seats in the State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, are scheduled to continue until 19:00 on Sunday, Italian time.

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