President Vladimir Putin basked in a victory early Monday that was never in doubt, as partial election results underlined the Russian leader's total control of the country's political system.
After facing only token challengers and harshly suppressing opposition voices, Putin was set to extend his nearly quarter-century rule for six more years.
Putin, 71, hailed the overwhelming early results as an indication of "trust" and "hope" in him - while critics saw them as another reflection of the preordained nature of the election.
"Of course, we have lots of tasks ahead. But I want to make it clear for everyone: When we were consolidated, no one has ever managed to frighten us, to suppress our will and our self-conscience. They failed in the past and they will fail in the future," Putin said at a news conference at his campaign headquarters in Moscow early Monday, hours after polls closed.
If he finishes his upcoming term, Putin will have been in power longer than any Russian leader since Catherine the Great in the 18th century, Agence France-Presse points out.
Putin's actions in Ukraine have silenced any public dissent. Independent media outlets have been severely restricted, and prominent critic Alexei Navalny passed away in a prison in the Arctic recently. Other vocal opponents have either met a similar fate, been imprisoned, or forced into exile.
The election process offered little choice to voters, and independent observation was notably scarce. The Central Election Commission reported Putin receiving 87% of the vote with almost all precincts reporting.
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron took to X, previously known as Twitter, to express his view: "This does not align with the principles of free and fair elections."
Criticism of Putin persists despite suppression efforts
Despite limited avenues for dissent, Russians gathered outside polling stations on the final day of the election, responding to calls from the opposition to show their discontent with the current president.
Long queues were observed outside polling stations within Russia and at its embassies worldwide, indicating a surge in participation at that time.
Strong Words Exchanged Between Navalnaya and Putin
In a recent exchange of words, Navalnaya had a powerful message for Putin, stating: "Please stop asking for messages from me or from somebody for Mr. Putin. There could be no negotiations and nothing with Mr. Putin, because he's a killer, he's a gangster."
However, Putin seemed unfazed by the protest, dismissing its effectiveness. "There were calls to come vote at noon. And this was supposed to be a manifestation of opposition. Well, if there were calls to come vote, then ... I praise this," he mentioned during a news conference after the polls closed.
In an unusual move, Putin referred to Navalny by name for the first time ever during the news conference.
Reports from Moscow and St. Petersburg indicate that some Russians waiting to vote were participating in the protest, although it was challenging to verify if everyone in line was part of it.
One voter in Moscow, known only as Vadim, expressed his desire for change but tempered his expectations, saying, "unfortunately, it's unlikely." Security concerns led him, like others, to withhold his full name.
Meanwhile, supporters of Navalny gathered at his grave in Moscow, some bringing ballots with his name inscribed on them.
Russia's leading independent news outlet, Meduza, shared photos of ballots from its readers, showing "killer" written on one and "The Hague awaits you" on another, referring to an arrest warrant for Putin on war crimes charges from the International Criminal Court.
Several individuals have been taken into custody in Moscow and St. Petersburg for attempting to ignite fires or trigger explosions at polling stations, while others have been apprehended for depositing green antiseptic or ink into ballot boxes.
This limited the opportunity for individuals to voice their opinions. Nevertheless, significant queues formed around midday outside embassies in London, Berlin, Paris, and other cities with sizable Russian populations, many of whom relocated following Putin's incursion into Ukraine.
"If we have some option to protest I think it's important to utilize any opportunity," expressed 23-year-old Tatiana, who was participating in the voting process in the Estonian capital of Tallinn and mentioned that she had come to join the protest.
Supporters of Putin also conveyed their sentiments
Some individuals informed the AP that they were content to cast their votes for Putin - a sentiment that is expected in a nation where state television broadcasts continuous praise for the Russian leader and expressing any differing views is hazardous.
Dmitry Sergienko, who voted in Moscow, stated, "I am happy with everything and want everything to continue as it is now."
The voting process spanned across a period of three days, with polling stations set up in various locations throughout the expansive country, including regions of Ukraine that have been illegally annexed, as well as online platforms.
