NEW DELHI: Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to continue his rule for another six years after a three-day with limited opposition. The election, held in a controlled environment, saw no public criticism of Putin or his actions in Ukraine. Putin's political rival, Alexei Navalny, passed away recently, leaving other critics either in jail or exile.
The 71-year-old leader faced token opposition from Kremlin-friendly parties, with no significant challenges to his rule or Ukraine invasion. Despite boasting of Russian successes, a Ukrainian drone attack highlighted the ongoing challenges. The defense ministry reported downing 35 drones, with no casualties reported.
Russia's economy, despite sanctions, has shown resilience, with the defense industry driving growth. The scattered opposition urged protests through voting, supported by Navalny before his death. Voting occurred across the country's time zones, including annexed regions of Ukraine and online, with reports of vandalism at polling stations. Incidents included a professor imprisoned for attempting to disrupt voting and a woman fined for spoiling her ballot.
Putin framed the Ukraine conflict as a battle against the West, emphasizing recent gains despite Ukrainian resistance. Air raid sirens sounded in a border city, where casualties were reported. The defense ministry claimed to thwart Ukrainian incursions, following reports of armed groups entering Russian regions.
Western leaders criticized the election, pointing out limited monitoring opportunities for independent observers. Only approved candidates or state-backed bodies could assign observers, reducing oversight by independent watchdogs.
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