Putin's Shadow Over the Duma The news from Moscow confirms Vladimir Putin's United Russia party has secured a commanding majority in the latest parliamentary elections.
Beneath this surface, however, lies a complex web of factors revealing the enduring power of the Russian President and the limited space for genuine opposition.
State media announced the outcome against the backdrop of Ukraine still reeling from drone strikes and cyberattacks. The timing reflects Putin's priorities as much as it attempts to silence his critics.