Russian President Vladimir Putin said the results of forthcoming parliamentary elections will serve as a collective response to those seeking to weaken Russia, undermine its sovereignty, and deprive it of the right to determine its own future.
"The result of the elections will be our collective answer to those who want to weaken Russia, contain its development, deprive us of sovereignty and the right to independently determine our own fate," Putin said in an address to citizens ahead of the elections to the lower house of parliament.
Putin noted that the large-scale voting is taking place amid a special military operation. He emphasized that residents of Donbas and Novorossiya will vote in State Duma elections for the first time since their reunification with Russia.
The president stressed that the elections will be conducted in strict accordance with the law and within the designated timeframe. Voting for the ninth convocation of State Duma deputies is scheduled to take place from September 18 to 20.