Russian opposition 'Noon' protest draws thin crowds in Duma elections

On the final day of Russia's State Duma elections, opposition calls for a coordinated noon protest against the war in Ukraine drew sparse participation, with eyewitnesses reporting few voters at that hour. Lines in Moscow were largely attributed to a technical failure with paper ballots, not protest turnout. The muted response, compared to the 2024 'Noon Against Putin' action, signals waning opposition mobilization amid sustained repression.