Overview
- Russian election officials reported that Moscow’s electronic voting system faced a “powerful, continuous” cyberattack overnight on Saturday, Sept. 19, and said the assault was still ongoing when they spoke to state media.
- Central Election Commission chair Ella Pamfilova and Interfax quoted officials as saying the attacks were being repelled and that online voting services were being restored for the three-day parliamentary ballot.
- Russia’s digital ministry reported a separate sabotage attempt on communications lines in the country’s Far East that it said had been thwarted and where links were restored.
- President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of trying to interfere with the vote but provided no public evidence, while prediction markets and some investors cut estimated chances of a unanimous United Russia sweep after the incidents.
- The incidents add to doubts over the election’s legitimacy because voting includes Crimea and occupied Ukrainian regions, many opposition figures were barred from running, and international bodies have already criticized the process.