Kyrylo Budanov

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There are no elections in Russia, only theatre

This year's most expensive theatre production took place last week. Millions of Russians (and some Ukrainians, at gunpoint) played voters. A host of Putin's cronies embodied democratically elected politicians. The props team did excellent work: ballot papers, boxes, and TV debates (although some actors missed their cues). Reading the headlines, one could get the false impression that Russia was experiencing a sudden democratic turn. The word "election" dominates, while most outlets eventually

A man in a bear costume greets residents at a polling station in Istra, Russia, on September 19, 2026.
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