Communist Party candidates gained at least 49 seats in the single-mandate districts, according to election returns from 195 out of a total of 225 such constituencies. The runner-up is the Agrarian Party, which prevailed in 19 single-mandate constituencies despite its failure thus far to overcome... MORE

Russian financial markets reacted calmly to news of the communists' strong showing the Duma elections. (21) Financial experts pointed out that the country's economic policy is set by the president and government, not parliament, and that Yeltsin has reiterated his determination not to depart from... MORE

Ukraine's communists were quick to react to news of Gennady Zyuganov's electoral success in Russia, describing the development as confirmation of the "destructive" effects of reform. Ukrainian Communist Party leader Petro Simonenko expressed hope that Russian election results would "accelerate understanding of the situation on... MORE

Western governments generally assessed yesterday's parliamentary elections as a post-Soviet landmark and an important stage in the consolidation of democratic institutions in Russia. Satisfaction was all the greater in view of concerns that the elections would be postponed, canceled, or otherwise disrupted. Except in Chechnya,... MORE

According to preliminary figures, Vladimir Zhirinovsky appears to have swept the prison vote in yesterday's parliamentary elections, taking 30-40 percent of ballots cast in Russian prisons. Zhirinovsky had predicted that prisoners would vote for him because they, too, were tired of crime. (12) Yeltsin Meets... MORE

Russian president Boris Yeltsin is meeting today with Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin to discuss government policy in the wake of the strong showing by the Communist party in Russia's parliamentary elections. There is strong speculation that a cabinet reshuffle will be announced. Final results are... MORE

The Moscow-installed administration in Grozny claimed yesterday that Doku Zavgayev had been elected "head" of Chechnya with 90 to 95 percent of the vote. The percentage of Zavgayev's purported victory had climbed daily since December 14 in official reports, despite the evidence that most of... MORE

According to preliminary returns, Foreign Minister Andrei Kozyrev was re-elected Duma deputy in the single-mandate district of Murmansk, where he ran as an independent candidate. Kozyrev may soon send in his resignation, a source in his inner circle said, noting that the constitution bars Duma... MORE

Sergei Yushenkov, Chairman of the Duma Committee for Defense and a leader of Russia's Democratic Choice, won reelection to the Duma by a margin of 7,000 votes in the single-mandate electoral district of Mytishchi, the Moscow region. (6) Armed Forces Voted En Masse.

No fewer than 97.6 percent of servicemen participated in the Duma elections, according to the Defense Ministry's Main Educational Department. Early returns were said to indicate that nine officers may be elected Duma deputies. The ministry has thus far identified Chechen Military Commissioner, Maj. General... MORE