Pro-Putin party wins majority in Russian elections despite declining support

Partial results show ruling United Russia party will retain power in parliament after winning over 45% of the vote

Russia's ruling United Russia party, which supports president Vladimir Putin, retained its majority in parliament after a three-day election and a sweeping crackdown on its critics, despite losing around one fifth of its support, partial results on Monday showed.

With 50% of votes counted, United Russia was ahead with 46.11% of the vote, the election commission said, followed by the Communist party with 21.4%.