Russia Reports Cyberattacks on Election Systems

On Saturday, Russian authorities reported several attempts to disrupt election and communications systems during the three-day State Duma election, held from 18 to 20 September.

According to Russia's Central Election Commission, the electronic voting system in Moscow came under a major cyberattack overnight. Commission Chair Ella Pamfilova added that the attacks were continuing but that authorities had repelled them. Separately, the ministry of digital development reported an attempt to disrupt communication lines in the Far East, adding that the connection had been restored.

Later on Saturday, however, Russian authorities said they had recorded virtually no cyberattacks the previous day and that electronic voting had functioned normally.

Even before the election, President Vladimir Putin had accused Ukraine of attempting to interfere in the vote but provided no evidence for the claim.

Most anti-war candidates were unable to run, and the anti-war Yabloko party was excluded from the nationwide vote.

(Reuters, est)