Russia's Central Election Commission said the online voting system in Moscow was subjected to a strong attack overnight but remains under control, according to state media. Commission head Ella Pamfilova stated that attacks were continuing but all were being successfully repelled. Separately, Russia's digital ministry reported a sabotage attempt on communication lines in the Far East that was thwarted, with all communication restored.
President Vladimir Putin earlier accused Ukraine of trying to interfere with the vote, but provided no evidence. Voting in Russia's parliamentary election runs from September 18 to 20.
Meanwhile, the election has triggered a diplomatic row with Moldova over plans to open polling stations for Russian nationals in the breakaway Transnistria region. Moscow says 220,000 residents of pro-Russian Transnistria hold Russian passports and are entitled to vote. Moldova's pro-Western government contests that figure and opposes any polling station in Transnistria, where it has no control over procedures. Moldovan authorities denounced the Kremlin's 15 planned polling stations as 'unacceptable and hostile' and summoned Russian ambassador Oleg Ozerov to the foreign ministry.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova urged Moldova to drop its objections and halt actions that 'run against democracy, international law and common sense'. Moldovan Foreign Minister Mihail Popsoi responded by telling Moscow 'not to interfere with Moldova's plans for peaceful reintegration' of the breakaway territory.
In Russia's last parliamentary election in 2021, authorities opened 27 polling stations in Transnistria, with more than 59,000 voters casting ballots and 76.2 per cent backing the pro-Putin United Russia party. Transnistria is not internationally recognised, though a Russian military contingent of some 1,500 troops remains stationed there despite demands from Moldova for their withdrawal.