Putin ties upcoming Russian elections to war effort, urges unity against external pressure

In a pre-election address, Putin framed the September 18-20 Russian elections as a referendum on national unity and the war in Ukraine, warning that external forces seek to divide and intimidate Russia. The speech reinforces the Kremlin's narrative that the election is a mandate for its war policy, with no independent opposition allowed. This is a continuation of established electoral tactics, but the explicit linkage to the war underscores the regime's reliance on the conflict for domestic legitimacy.