president of russia Vladimir Putin He is poised to extend his almost quarter-century reign for another six years on Sunday. election As a result, voters were left with no real alternative to a dictator who brutally suppressed opposition.
The three-day election, which began on Friday, was held in a tightly controlled environment. There has been no public criticism of President Putin. or his war in ukraine Allowed. President Putin's most vicious political opponent alexei navalny He died in an Arctic prison last month, and other critics are either in prison or in exile.
The 71-year-old Russian leader faces three nominal rivals from pro-Kremlin parties who have refrained from any criticism of his 24-year rule or his full-scale invasion of Ukraine two years ago. President Vladimir Putin has boasted of Russia's battlefield successes in the run-up to the vote, but a massive Ukrainian drone strike across Russia early Sunday served as a reminder of the challenges Russia faces. .
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that it shot down 35 Ukrainian drones overnight, four of which were shot down near the Russian capital. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said there were no casualties or damage.
Russia's wartime economy has proven elastic, It is expanding despite sanctions imposed by Western countries. Russia's defense industry serves as a major growth engine, working around the clock to mass produce missiles, tanks, and ammunition.
Russia's dispersed opposition is calling on those dissatisfied with President Putin and the war to come to voting stations at midday on Sunday to voice their protest. This action was endorsed by Navalny shortly before his death.
Navalny's associates released photos and videos of people crowding near polling stations in various cities across Russia and said their strategy was a success. It was not immediately clear whether voters lining up at polling stations heeded the calls of Mr. Navalny's allies or whether the lines reflected high turnout, which typically peaks around noon.
Voting takes place at polling stations in 11 time zones across the vast country. illegally annexed territories of Ukraine; And online. As of early Sunday morning, more than 60% of voters had cast their votes.
Despite strict controls, there were multiple reports of vandalism at polling stations.
A woman was arrested in St. Petersburg after throwing an incendiary device at the entrance to a polling station, and several people across the country were arrested for throwing green disinfectant and ink into ballot boxes.
Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, which President Vladimir Putin chairs, said those who tried to disrupt the vote during the fighting in Ukraine should be charged with treason. He called for tougher punishment for those who vandalized polling stations.
Ahead of the election, President Putin characterized the Ukraine war, now in its third year, as a life-or-death battle with Western powers seeking to dismantle Russia.
Russian forces have advanced slowly in recent days, relying on their superiority in firepower, while Ukraine has responded by stepping up cross-border attacks and launching drone strikes deep inside Russia. .
A 16-year-old girl was killed and her father injured in Ukrainian military shelling on the border city of Belgorod on Sunday, the local governor announced, adding that two people were killed in Ukrainian military attacks the day before.
President Putin described the attack as an attempt by Ukraine to frighten the population and derail Russia's presidential election, saying: “We will not be left unpunished.”
Western leaders have derided the election as a travesty of democracy.
Not only do voters have no choice, but the possibilities for independent oversight are also very limited. No important international observers were present. Only Kremlin-approved registered candidates or state-backed advisory bodies can assign observers to polling stations, making independent monitoring bodies unlikely.
