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Russia polls complete, Putin expected to remain in power for another 6 years

Voting in Russia closed on Sunday night, the final day of the election campaign. 3-day presidential election.Earlier, Russians swarmed outside polling stations at midday and appeared to be heeding opposition calls for protest. President Vladimir PutinHe is poised to extend his almost quarter-century rule for another six years following a brutal crackdown on opposition.

A preliminary announcement from Russia’s Central Election Commission following the close of voting suggested that nationwide voter turnout was approximately 75%. Citing exit poll data collected by the state-run All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VTsIOM), the commission announced that Putin was the projected winner of the election with 87% of the vote. Communist Party candidate Nikolai Kharitonov came in second with 4.6% of the vote.

The election, which began Friday, was held in a tightly controlled environment with no real alternatives to Putin and no public criticism of him or him. war in ukraine. President Putin’s most vicious political opponent alexei navalnydied in an Arctic prison last month, and other critics are also in prison or in exile.

Mr Navalny’s widow, Yulia Navalnaya, voted in Russia’s general election at the Russian embassy in Berlin on Sunday after waiting in line for several hours. BBC report. The paper said that as Navalnaya left her embassy, ​​she said she had written her late husband’s last name on the ballot before voting.

Yulia Navalnaya speaks to the media after leaving the Russian Embassy in Berlin
Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in a prisoner of war camp, speaks to the media after leaving the Russian embassy on the final day of the Russian presidential election in Berlin, Germany, March 17, 2024. .

Annegret Hills/Reuters


“It is impossible that President Putin’s main opponent, who was already in prison, could be killed a month before an election, during an election campaign,” Navalnaya said, according to the BBC. Navalny has long been a champion of fair elections in Russia. The opposition leader was banned from entering the country during the last presidential election in 2018 and the current presidential election. Before his death, Mr Navalny had called on Russian voters to vote against Mr Putin at noon on Sunday in a collective protest against his re-election. Mr. Navalnaya supported this action.

Mr. Navalny’s associates have called on those dissatisfied with President Putin and the war to come to the polls at midday on Sunday to protest, a strategy Mr. Navalny endorsed shortly before his death. Team Navalny released photos and videos of people crowding around polling stations in cities across Russia around midday, calling it a success.

At a rally in Washington, D.C., on Saturday night, US President Biden issued a serious warning about Putin’s power grab, saying Putin was “on the march in Europe.”

“We’re joined tonight by the prime minister of Estonia and the Ukrainian ambassador to the United States. I say it, I say it…we will not yield, we will not yield,” Biden said. “They’re not going to bow down, and I’m not going to bow down.”

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 massive Ukrainian drone strikes across Russia early Sunday served as a reminder of the challenges Russia faces. .

russian elections
A woman votes at a polling station during the presidential election in St. Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Dmitri Lavetsky/Associated Press


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 was resilient and continued to expand despite Western sanctions. Russia’s defense industry serves as a major growth engine, working around the clock to mass produce missiles, tanks, and ammunition.

Voting is taking place at polling stations in 11 time zones across the vast country, in illegally annexed territories of Ukraine, and online. As of early Sunday morning, more than 60% of voters had cast their votes.

Dmitry Sergeyenko, who voted in Moscow, said he voted for Putin: “I’m happy with everything and I want everything to remain as it is.”

Olga Dimova, who also supported Putin, said: “I am confident that our country will only move forward towards success.”

Another Moscow voter, Vadim, who only gave his first name, said he would like to see change, but added: “Unfortunately it is unlikely.”

Navalny’s associates broadcast footage of comments from people who showed up at the polling station at noon to protest against Putin, their faces blurred to protect their identities.

“This action achieved its purpose,” Ivan Zhdanov, head of Navalny’s anti-corruption foundation, said on a YouTube broadcast. “This action showed that there is another Russia and that there are people who oppose President Putin.”

Another Navalny ally, Leonid Volkov, said the protests were aimed at uniting and encouraging those opposed to President Putin.

It is unclear whether voters lining up at polling stations in videos and photos released by Navalny’s associates and some Russian media outlets responded to calls to protest, or whether they simply reflected a high turnout. There wasn’t.

Long lines formed around noon outside Russian diplomatic missions in Berlin, Paris, Milan and other cities with large Russian communities.

Liberal politician Boris Nadezhdin, who tried to run on an anti-war platform but was barred from running by election authorities, expressed hope that many Russians would vote against President Putin. did.

“I believe that the Russian people today have an opportunity to show their true attitude towards what is happening by voting not for President Putin, but for other candidates and in other ways,” he said after the vote. Yes, that’s exactly what I did.” Dolgorpudny on the outskirts of Moscow.

OVD-Info, a group that monitors political arrests, said more than 50 people were arrested in 14 cities across Russia on Sunday.

russian elections
A woman leaves the polling station during the presidential election in St. Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Dmitri Lavetsky/Associated Press


Despite strict controls, dozens of incidents of vandalism were reported 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 places.

Some Russian media also referenced the arrest warrant issued to Putin on war crimes charges and published images of defaced ballots posted by voters, one of which had the words “murderer and thief” on it. , and the other one said, “Waiting in The Hague.” In connection with his alleged responsibility for the kidnapping of children from Ukraine.

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 President Vladimir Putin votes online in the presidential election from his official residence on the outskirts of Moscow
Russian President Vladimir Putin votes online for the presidential election at the Novo Ogaryovo official residence on the outskirts of Moscow, Russia, on March 15, 2024.

Sputnik/Mikhail Metzel/Pool, via Reuters


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.

Summarize this content to 100 words Voting in Russia closed on Sunday night, the final day of the election campaign. 3-day presidential election.Earlier, Russians swarmed outside polling stations at midday and appeared to be heeding opposition calls for protest. President Vladimir PutinHe is poised to extend his almost quarter-century rule for another six years following a brutal crackdown on opposition.A preliminary announcement from Russia’s Central Election Commission following the close of voting suggested that nationwide voter turnout was approximately 75%. Citing exit poll data collected by the state-run All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VTsIOM), the commission announced that Putin was the projected winner of the election with 87% of the vote. Communist Party candidate Nikolai Kharitonov came in second with 4.6% of the vote.The election, which began Friday, was held in a tightly controlled environment with no real alternatives to Putin and no public criticism of him or him. war in ukraine. President Putin’s most vicious political opponent alexei navalnydied in an Arctic prison last month, and other critics are also in prison or in exile.

Mr Navalny’s widow, Yulia Navalnaya, voted in Russia’s general election at the Russian embassy in Berlin on Sunday after waiting in line for several hours. BBC report. The paper said that as Navalnaya left her embassy, ​​she said she had written her late husband’s last name on the ballot before voting.

Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in a prisoner of war camp, speaks to the media after leaving the Russian embassy on the final day of the Russian presidential election in Berlin, Germany, March 17, 2024. .

Annegret Hills/Reuters

“It is impossible that President Putin’s main opponent, who was already in prison, could be killed a month before an election, during an election campaign,” Navalnaya said, according to the BBC. Navalny has long been a champion of fair elections in Russia. The opposition leader was banned from entering the country during the last presidential election in 2018 and the current presidential election. Before his death, Mr Navalny had called on Russian voters to vote against Mr Putin at noon on Sunday in a collective protest against his re-election. Mr. Navalnaya supported this action.

Mr. Navalny’s associates have called on those dissatisfied with President Putin and the war to come to the polls at midday on Sunday to protest, a strategy Mr. Navalny endorsed shortly before his death. Team Navalny released photos and videos of people crowding around polling stations in cities across Russia around midday, calling it a success.At a rally in Washington, D.C., on Saturday night, US President Biden issued a serious warning about Putin’s power grab, saying Putin was “on the march in Europe.””We’re joined tonight by the prime minister of Estonia and the Ukrainian ambassador to the United States. I say it, I say it…we will not yield, we will not yield,” Biden said. “They’re not going to bow down, and I’m not going to bow down.”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 massive Ukrainian drone strikes across Russia early Sunday served as a reminder of the challenges Russia faces. .

A woman votes at a polling station during the presidential election in St. Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Dmitri Lavetsky/Associated Press

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 was resilient and continued to expand despite Western sanctions. Russia’s defense industry serves as a major growth engine, working around the clock to mass produce missiles, tanks, and ammunition.Voting is taking place at polling stations in 11 time zones across the vast country, in illegally annexed territories of Ukraine, and online. As of early Sunday morning, more than 60% of voters had cast their votes.Dmitry Sergeyenko, who voted in Moscow, said he voted for Putin: “I’m happy with everything and I want everything to remain as it is.”Olga Dimova, who also supported Putin, said: “I am confident that our country will only move forward towards success.”Another Moscow voter, Vadim, who only gave his first name, said he would like to see change, but added: “Unfortunately it is unlikely.”Navalny’s associates broadcast footage of comments from people who showed up at the polling station at noon to protest against Putin, their faces blurred to protect their identities.”This action achieved its purpose,” Ivan Zhdanov, head of Navalny’s anti-corruption foundation, said on a YouTube broadcast. “This action showed that there is another Russia and that there are people who oppose President Putin.”

Another Navalny ally, Leonid Volkov, said the protests were aimed at uniting and encouraging those opposed to President Putin.It is unclear whether voters lining up at polling stations in videos and photos released by Navalny’s associates and some Russian media outlets responded to calls to protest, or whether they simply reflected a high turnout. There wasn’t. Long lines formed around noon outside Russian diplomatic missions in Berlin, Paris, Milan and other cities with large Russian communities.Liberal politician Boris Nadezhdin, who tried to run on an anti-war platform but was barred from running by election authorities, expressed hope that many Russians would vote against President Putin. did.”I believe that the Russian people today have an opportunity to show their true attitude towards what is happening by voting not for President Putin, but for other candidates and in other ways,” he said after the vote. Yes, that’s exactly what I did.” Dolgorpudny on the outskirts of Moscow.OVD-Info, a group that monitors political arrests, said more than 50 people were arrested in 14 cities across Russia on Sunday.

A woman leaves the polling station during the presidential election in St. Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Dmitri Lavetsky/Associated Press

Despite strict controls, dozens of incidents of vandalism were reported 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 places.Some Russian media also referenced the arrest warrant issued to Putin on war crimes charges and published images of defaced ballots posted by voters, one of which had the words “murderer and thief” on it. , and the other one said, “Waiting in The Hague.” In connection with his alleged responsibility for the kidnapping of children from Ukraine.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 President Vladimir Putin votes online for the presidential election at the Novo Ogaryovo official residence on the outskirts of Moscow, Russia, on March 15, 2024.

Sputnik/Mikhail Metzel/Pool, via Reuters

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.

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https://www.cbsnews.com/news/russia-election-vladimir-putin-voting-continues/ Russia polls complete, Putin expected to remain in power for another 6 years

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