On the eve of the September 18-20 elections, fake messages spread across Russian regions claiming that polling stations for men would be located in military commissariat premises. The narrative hints at a possible mobilization during the voting days — a claim that has been repeatedly denied, including at the presidential level.
The campaign uses similar techniques in different regions: fake gubernatorial decrees, fictitious election commission rulings, and counterfeit Telegram channels of regional heads.
Fake documents
Oryol Region: A fake document was circulated in the governor’s name, which the regional head publicly denied.
Kherson Region: The fake election commission ruling was not found on the official website; it was spread by a bot in the comments.
Voronezh Region: The fake referenced Election Commission decision No. 104/625-5 dated September 16, 2026. In reality, that number in 2015 was used for a decision “On methodological recommendations for nominating a candidate for the position of head of a settlement.” The document grossly violates the current record-keeping instruction.
Belgorod Region: No similar document was found on the commission’s website or resources.
Buryatia: The latest election commission ruling is No. 212/2095-7 dated September 15, 2026, whereas rulings numbered 139 were issued back in July 2024.
Udmurtia: The information was officially denied by the republic’s Communications Management Center. In addition to the fake order about polling stations in military commissariats, unknown persons sent local media another false document — about mobilization, containing a list of residents with a travel ban from September 22, as well as draft summons templates.
Perm Krai: The fake referenced gubernatorial decree No. 66, which was actually issued on August 25 and concerns amendments to the Regulations on the Urban Planning Council of Perm Krai.
Fake accounts
Tambov Region: The fake was posted on a counterfeit channel of regional head Evgeny Pervyshov. The real channel has been running since July 2020; the fake one was created on March 9.
Arkhangelsk and Murmansk Regions: The post was made by the same empty account.
On September 18-20, 2026, Russia is holding elections of deputies to the State Duma of the 9th convocation. Voters elect 450 deputies: 225 by party lists (proportional system) and 225 in single-mandate constituencies (majoritarian system). In parallel, governors and deputies of legislative assemblies are being elected in a number of regions.
