United Russia keeps grip in elections but critics make gains

Voters in dozens of Russian regions cast ballots on Sunday (Dmitri Lovetsky/AP)

The main Kremlin party has retained its dominance in regional elections but the opposition made gains in some areas in a challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to early official results released on Monday.

Voters in dozens of Russian regions cast ballots on Sunday to elect regional governors, members of provincial legislatures and city councils.