Russian authorities report attacks on voting systems and communications on the second day of the parliamentary election

Russian authorities reported on Saturday, the second day of the parliamentary election, attacks on online voting systems and communications lines in several regions of the country. Officials in Moscow said the attempts had been thwarted and the affected services restored.

Moscow’s online voting system was targeted in a major overnight attack, according to Ella Pamfilova, chairwoman of Russia’s Central Election Commission. She said the attacks had continued, but that all attempts had been successfully blocked and the situation was under control.

Russia’s Ministry of Digital Development also announced an attempt to sabotage communications lines in the Far East. According to state media, the attack was thwarted and communications were restored.

President Vladimir Putin had previously accused Ukraine of trying to interfere with the election, without presenting evidence. Kyiv is not identified as the perpetrator of the attacks in the information cited by Reuters.

The State Duma election is the first held by Russia since the launch of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. United Russia, the pro-Putin ruling party, is considered the favorite to retain control of parliament.