Putin consolidates grip on Russia as 49 Ukraine war veterans elected to parliament

United Russia, the party led by Vladimir Putin before his presidency, won 355 of 450 Duma seats. Photograph: Vyacheslav Prokofyev/Pool Sputnik Kremlin/AP United Russia, the party led by Vladimir Putin before his presidency, won 355 of 450 Duma seats. Photograph: Vyacheslav Prokofyev/Pool Sputnik Kremlin/AP Russia Putin consolidates grip on Russia as 49 Ukraine war veterans elected to parliament Pro-Kremlin party’s record victory in tightly controlled vote likely to be used as evidence country supports war

Prefer the Guardian on Google Russia’s new parliament will include 49 deputies who have taken part in the war against Ukraine , officials have said after a landslide victory by the ruling United Russia party in widely criticised elections.