Russian election voting also held at embassy in Tallinn
On Sunday, Russia's elections saw voting take place at the Russian embassy in Tallinn, while a small protest against the vote's legitimacy was held outside.
Voting in Russia's elections on Sunday was not limited to the country itself — polling stations were also opened at Russian diplomatic missions around the world, including the embassy in Tallinn.
At the embassy entrance, police checked and photographed the documents of everyone wishing to vote. One person who came to cast a ballot said the checks were very strict, adding that while the reasons behind them were understandable, the process was still unpleasant.
A small protest also took place opposite the embassy, with participants describing the election as illegitimate. One protester, named Daniil, said that while some passers-by showed support with a thumbs-up, other Russian-speaking Russian citizens called the protesters fascists and traitors.
Russian elections are often described as "elections without choice," yet those who came to the embassy to vote on Sunday said they viewed voting as a necessary and important act. One voter said she does not trust the results but wants to keep the habit of voting and holds on to hope for a better future. Another voter said she did not vote for United Russia because she disapproves of the direction the country is currently taking.
Several voters named the Communist Party as the main alternative to the ruling party. One man said he hoped that if the Communists gained more influence in the Duma, it could eventually affect Vladimir Putin's decisions, including on whether the war continues or ends.
