CikLeak Hacks Russian Election System Days Before Duma Vote

• •CikLeak breached Russia's Central Election Commission's voting system ahead of elections.
• •The hackers obtained sensitive internal documents and source code from the CEC and contractors.
• •The breach highlights vulnerabilities in the electoral system, contradicting claims of its security.

The hacker group CikLeak announced a breach of Russia's Central Election Commission's GAS Elections 2.0 system, just days before the State Duma elections scheduled for September 18-20, 2026. They accessed the IT infrastructure of the CEC and its contractor Tsifrotekh, downloading sensitive internal documents, source code, passwords, and employee communications. This breach follows earlier claims by CEC head Ella Pamfilova that the system was 'impossible to hack.' The hackers stated their intention was to expose vulnerabilities in the electoral system rather than disrupt the voting process. The independent outlet Important Stories confirmed the authenticity of the leaked materials and plans to investigate the implications for the electoral process. The Russian authorities have been under scrutiny for potential election rigging, especially in occupied territories of Ukraine. The breach raises significant concerns about the integrity of the upcoming elections.