Thousands of Russians residing in Serbia and Montenegro participated in the recent Russian elections, with many expressing opposition to President Vladimir Putin.
The voting took place at the Russian embassies in Belgrade and Podgorica, where long lines of Russian expatriates were seen waiting to cast their ballots. The elections were held to elect members of the State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament.
Despite the turnout, a significant number of Russian voters voiced their discontent with Putin's leadership. Some cited concerns over political repression, human rights violations, and the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic as reasons for their opposition.
One Russian voter in Belgrade stated, 'I want to see positive changes in Russia, and I believe that voting against the current regime is a step towards that.' Another voter in Podgorica expressed similar sentiments, saying, 'I cannot support a government that suppresses dissent and undermines democratic values.'
Observers noted that the turnout of Russian voters in Serbia and Montenegro reflected a growing trend of opposition to Putin among the Russian diaspora. This dissent comes amid heightened tensions between Russia and Western countries, particularly over issues such as the conflict in Ukraine and allegations of election interference.
While the official results of the elections are yet to be announced, the participation of Russians in Serbia and Montenegro who oppose Putin sends a clear message of dissatisfaction with the current political climate in Russia.
