Putin Claims Ukraine Struck Moscow-Area Polling Stations During Local Elections

Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed at a press conference on September 25 that Ukrainian forces had attacked polling stations in the Moscow region during local elections, characterising the strikes as an attempt to disrupt Russia's democratic institutions. Ukraine denied the allegations.

Putin's Allegations

Speaking to journalists, Putin alleged that Ukrainian drones and missiles targeted areas near Moscow where residents were voting in local elections. He used the claims to argue that Ukraine was targeting peaceful civilians exercising their democratic rights.

The allegations came amid a wider escalation of Russia's own drone campaign, with Russian forces launching 162 strike drones at Ukraine on the same day, killing seven people. Critics noted the irony of Putin's claims while Russia was conducting mass drone strikes against Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.

Context

Russia holds regional and local elections in September each year. Ukrainian officials dismissed Putin's claims as propaganda designed to justify continued Russian attacks on Ukraine. The statement came as Zelensky was in New York attending the UN General Assembly and meeting Western leaders to discuss the war.