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Two deaths among civilians, fires and around 400 people evacuated: this is the toll reported by the Russian authorities after a massive wave of Ukrainian drones over the Moscow region, on the third and final day of the elections for the renewal of the Duma.
According to Mayor Serghei Sobyanin, 1,600 aircraft have been aimed at the capital region since Saturday morning and over 300 have been shot down this morning alone. “The unprecedented attack was clearly planned with the aim of disrupting the elections,” he said. Among the targets hit was the Moscow refinery, where a fire broke out.
Homes hit, two dead and five injured in Sofyino
In the village of Sofyino, 55 kilometers south-east of the capital, a drone hit a residential building, killing a 44-year-old woman and injuring five other people, including two children. This was reported by the governor of the Moscow region, Andrei Vorobyev. The raid also caused a large fire at a nearby logistics center.
An elderly man died in the Orechovo-Zuevo district, 90 kilometers east of Moscow, after a drone hit his home, the governor added. In Ramenskoye, however, debris from a downed aircraft started a fire on the roof of a 21-storey building: rescuers evacuated around 400 people.
Last day of voting, turnout at 45.1%
The Central Electoral Commission reported a turnout of 45.1% this morning. The consultation is destined to end with an obvious victory for United Russia, the party of President Vladimir Putin, consolidating its power after four and a half years of war in Ukraine.
All alternative parties allowed to vote support the policies of the Kremlin. The only pacifist group, Yabloko, was excluded from the competition a few weeks ago by the Supreme Court and one of its leaders was sentenced last month to 11 years in prison.
The elections could however offer indications on the orientation of public opinion towards the conflict. In recent months, Kiev has hit strategic infrastructure deeper and deeper into Russian territory, causing fuel shortages in some areas.