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Russia’s 2021 Parliamentary Elections

Russian defense chief Shoigu casts ballot in State Duma elections

Shoigu stressed that taking part in the legislative elections is an important and responsible duty for each serviceman and citizen of the country

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu Vadim Savitsky/Russian defense ministry's press service/TASS

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu

© Vadim Savitsky/Russian defense ministry's press service/TASS

KUBINKA /Moscow region/, September 17. /TASS/. Sergey Shoigu, the nation’s defense minister, voted on Friday in Russia’s State Duma elections at a polling station opened on the territory of the 45th Guards Special Purpose Detached Brigade of the Russian Airborne Troops.

"As expected in our country, the voting began in the East, from the Eastern Military District and the Pacific Fleet. All districts and fleets are going to the polls. Voting is underway in the Central Military District. Traditionally, in the armed forces, all military personnel and their families take a very active part in the elections. There is no doubt that this time the voting will be organized in an active way as always," the defense chief said.

Shoigu stressed that taking part in the legislative elections is an important and responsible duty for each serviceman and citizen of the country. "I would really like these days to become more festive because this is our life and our existence, which in one way or another is governed by the relevant laws adopted by the State Duma. I hope that everyone will go out and vote," the top official added.

The Russian Ministry of Defense also noted that the leadership of the armed forces is participating in the voting at polling stations opened on the territory of military units. In particular, Russian Airborne Force Commander Colonel-General Andrey Serdyukov cast his vote on the territory of the 45th Guards Special Purpose Brigade.

The ministry assured that despite the fact that almost 100% of military personnel got vaccinated, sanitary measures have been carried out at polling stations throughout all three days of the elections. The opportunity to vote is furnished to all military and civilian personnel of the armed forces not only in Russia, but also on Russian military bases abroad.

Upon exiting the polling station, Shoigu took a photo at the request of local children who came there with their parents. The minister presented his cap to one of them, Daniil Kiriyenko, who dreams of becoming a paratrooper. "If you study well, you will be a general!" said Shoigu.

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