Russian President Vladimir Putin has secured another term in office through what many critics are calling a controversial victory. The early result means that Putin looks to have easily won a new six-year term that would enable him to overtake Josef Stalin and become one of Russia's longest-serving leaders. However, questions surrounding the legitimacy of the election process have sparked widespread protests and international criticism.
Russians formed queues outside polling stations at noon Sunday to protest an election with only one possible outcome: Vladimir Putin's victory. Despite the appearance of democracy, many believe that Putin's control over the media and suppression of opposition voices have tainted the electoral process.
Footage has shown armed soldiers escorting Ukrainian civilians to the polling stations in the four regions Vladimir Putin illegally annexed in Crimea. This move further raises concerns about Russia's influence over neighboring countries and its disregard for international norms.
Vladimir Putin says he supported the idea of releasing Navalny from prison in an exchange days before his death. This controversial statement has added fuel to the fire of speculation surrounding Putin's authoritarian rule and his treatment of political dissidents.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday his troops had the upper hand in Ukraine after they captured a string of towns and villages. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has been a point of contention between Russia and the West, with Putin's aggressive tactics drawing condemnation from world leaders.
What Putin won wasn't an election in any traditional sense of the word. The lack of genuine competition and reports of voter coercion raise serious doubts about the fairness of the electoral process under Putin's rule.
Long lines of Russian voters signal discontent with Putin's tenure. Many appeared to be heeding a call by the opposition to express their frustration with the current regime. The government claims that turnout is the highest in history, but thousands of voters protested against what they see as a deepening dictatorship.
Dmitry Medvedev called Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs and others 'Nazi bastards' on social media. This inflammatory rhetoric highlights the tense relations between Russia and its neighbors, as well as the aggressive stance taken by Putin's administration towards perceived enemies.
