The Russian embassy in Norway reported that approximately 230 people cast their ballots in the State Duma elections by early Sunday evening, culminating in a modest turnout among the roughly 5,500 Russian citizens residing in the country as of September 2025, according to government figures. Voting took place across three locations in Norway: the Russian embassy in Oslo, alongside general consulates in Kirkenes and on Svalbard.
Turnout and Logistics at Diplomatic Missions
Voting at the Oslo embassy proceeded in a calm and friendly atmosphere, and Norwegian authorities placed no obstacles in the way of the electoral process, according to statements given by the Russian embassy to the state-controlled Russian news agency Ria. The embassy noted that roughly 230 individuals had voted by 18:00 on Sunday, with very few additional voters arriving before the polls closed at 20:00. While Nettavisen had no available figures for the exact turnout in Kirkenes and on Svalbard, the overall participation among Russians in Norway remained modest. Globally, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs established a total of 326 polling stations across 156 countries outside Russia.
International Condemnation Over Occupied Ukrainian Territories
The staging of the Russian parliamentary elections drew sharp international condemnation because polling stations were also set up in occupied parts of Ukraine—territories claimed by Russia including Crimea, Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizjzja. The Norwegian government stated in a press release that holding the State Duma election in these temporarily occupied areas represents a gross violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and the UN Charter. Norway signed onto the joint condemnation alongside Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas dismissed the parliamentary election as a democratic bluff, noting on X that the vote marked a major setback for Russian democracy with an outcome that was never in doubt. Kallas proposed sanctions against individuals who helped organize the vote in the occupied Ukrainian regions, emphasizing that the Kremlin muzzled dissent and excluded international observers.
Kremlin Victory and Militarization of Parliament
Vladimir Putin’s ruling party, United Russia, secured a comfortable victory by capturing nearly 58 percent of the vote and winning 355 out of 450 seats in the State Duma. Defence analyst Hans Petter Midttun told Nettavisen’s podcast, Ukrainapodden, that the composition of the new national assembly reflects an intensified focus on the war in Ukraine. Midttun pointed out that approximately 49 former military veterans were elected into the Duma, signaling a broader militarization of Russian society and a state intent on sustaining the conflict. Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik (Ap) warned in the same podcast that a Russian victory would grant Putin’s regime control over massive military resources, carrying severe geopolitical consequences.
Absence of Real Opposition
Russians who cast ballots in the Duma election faced a restricted field consisting exclusively of parties that support both Vladimir Putin and the war against Ukraine. Over nearly three decades in power, Putin has systematically sidelined political opposition through imprisonment, exile, or death. Although the party Jabloko—whose name means apple and which openly opposes the war—was widely expected to run as the sole genuine opposition party in the election, the Russian judiciary barred them from participating shortly before the vote. Defence analyst Midttun stated to Ukrainapodden that this exclusion sends a clear signal to the international community that hopes for a peaceful resolution through diplomacy are diminishing.
Did you know?
According to the Norwegian government, roughly 5,500 Russian citizens resided in Norway as of September 2025, with polling options restricted to the embassy in Oslo and consulates in Kirkenes and Svalbard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where could Russian citizens vote in Norway during the Duma election?
Russians in Norway could cast their votes at three designated locations: the Russian embassy in Oslo and the Russian general consulates in Kirkenes and on Svalbard.
How did Vladimir Putin’s party perform in the election?
Vladimir Putin’s party, United Russia, won nearly 58 percent of the vote, securing 355 out of 450 total seats in the State Duma.
Why did Norway and international allies condemn the election?
Norway, alongside Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, condemned the election because Russia established polling stations in occupied Ukrainian territories, which they described as a gross violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and the UN Charter.
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