Russian President Vladimir Putin's online voting footage became a subject of ridicule on social media after it was revealed that he used a Dell computer running unlicensed Windows 10. The images also sparked debates about the inconsistency with Russia's policy of using domestic technology and the legitimacy of the elections.
In Russia's parliamentary elections held on Friday, September 18, 2026, online voting for the State Duma was made available to the public for the first time. At a press conference organized to demonstrate how easy online voting is, Russian President Vladimir Putin was filmed casting his vote. However, this promotion did not go as expected.
In the footage, Putin appeared to struggle to read the screen, but the most striking detail was that the Russian leader was using an unactivated version of Windows 10. Moreover, the computer was a US-based Dell PC rather than a Russian-made system.
Putin's promotion became a subject of ridicule on social media and raised some questions: Does Putin know how to use a computer, and is this hardware suitable for voting?
"You Can't Go Wrong"
73-year-old President Putin sat in front of the Dell computer placed on his desk, facing the cameras, and carried out the "online voting" process. The aim was to show how easy online voting is. (In-person and postal voting options were also available.)
However, the press conference looked as "authentic" as an unlicensed copy of Windows 10. Ironically, at the end of the video, this very situation stands out: Windows is not activated.
At first glance, it might give the impression that "Russia's state IT infrastructure is quite weak," but in reality, state-controlled hardware managing infrastructure, networks, and military systems is likely much more up-to-date. A more plausible scenario is that this computer was pulled out of a back room and an old Windows copy was quickly installed to provide Putin with a brief voting incentive.
Dell vs. Aquarius
The use of a Dell PC, however, is confusing. Although relations between Russia and the US are friendly, it seems odd for the Russian President to use a foreign computer. Sanctions aside, Russia has a policy that mandates preferring domestic brands (such as Aquarius) over foreign brands.
After voting, the five-time elected Russian leader uttered a memorable phrase in his native language: "You can't go wrong." This remark perhaps emphasized the futility of voting for candidates other than his own party, United Russia.
While it is difficult to assess the legitimacy of the elections in Russia, the governments of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom objected to the elections in the occupied Ukrainian territories. These countries described the elections as "sham elections," stating that they "violate Ukraine's sovereignty and independence and the UN Charter."
