Despite the regime’s numerous attempts to establish control, regional elections in Russia remain a battleground of competition, where national political parties assume the role of franchises and disguise the bizarre standoffs going on behind the scenes between local clientele, elite groups and activist projects. This type of political culture prefers sabotage over protest, and its loyalty to the regime is both conditional and pragmatic.

On September 9–11, the first elections were held in Russia under the conditions of the “new reality” - war and the accompanying tightening of the political regime. In recent years, regional elections have constantly brought unpleasant surprises to the Putin regime, increasingly turning into a protest voting machine. But this year the Kremlin managed to avoid such a scenario.

Between 9-11 September, Russia held elections for the first time in its “new reality”: marked by the country’s war in Ukraine and consequent tightening of the screws of repression. In recent years, regional elections have become a hotspot for “protest voting” across the country. As a result, they were seen as a persistent source of unpleasant surprises for Putin’s regime. This year, however, the Kremlin managed to prevent a repeat of this scenario.

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In an August poll by the Levada Center, a set of questions regarding the war in Ukraine has significantly expanded. While the proportion of those supporting Russian military action in Ukraine has remained practically unchanged since April (about 75%), when asked whether Russia should continue the military operation or switch to peace talks, 44% were in favor of negotiations and a slightly higher proportion of respondents (48%) were in favor of pressing on with the military action.

In the August Levada Center survey, the set of questions about the war with Ukraine was significantly expanded. While the share of those who support the actions of the Russian military in Ukraine has remained virtually unchanged since April (about 75%), answering the question whether the military operation should continue or move on to peace negotiations, 44% were in favor of negotiations and a slightly larger share of respondents (48%) - for the continuation of hostilities.

Phenomenology of regional elections in Russia Despite attempts to establish total control, regional elections in Russia remain a field of specific competition, in which federal party brands play the role of franchises and screens for the bizarre struggle of local clienteles, elite groups and projects of local activism. This political culture prefers sabotage to protest, and its loyalty to power is conditional and pragmatic.