Putin-backed United Russia leads Duma polls at 57.5% as Ukraine war looms

The election is the first parliamentary vote since full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. (Reuters photo) Russia's ruling United Russia party, which supports President Vladimir Putin, has taken a strong early lead in the country's State Duma elections, securing 57.5 per cent of the vote in initial results.The three-day parliamentary election ended on Sunday, with the final results expected by September 25, according to CNN. Early figures released by Russia's Central Election Commission showed United Russia well ahead of other parties.The election is the first parliamentary vote since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Putin has sought to present the poll as a measure of public support for his government's domestic and military policies.Putin links vote to support for troopsAhead of the election, Putin urged Russians to turn out and portrayed the poll as a show of unity behind the country's military campaign.“Your choice and determination will show once again that millions of people are backing our fighters and that we stand together, united by shared values, our historical memory, love for our Motherland,” Putin said, according to CNN.Put...