According to the initial trends of the one-sided election for the post of President in Russia held on Sunday, President Vladimir Putin, who has been in power for almost 25 years, has got 88 percent of the votes.
According to Russia’s Central Election Commission, early trends from vote counting in 24 percent of precincts when polling closed showed that about 88 percent of votes were cast in support of Putin.
According to critics, Russia’s election did not give voters any real alternative to the ‘autocratic’ ruler. Russia’s three-day presidential election began on Friday in a tightly controlled environment, with no public criticism of Putin or his war with Ukraine allowed.
Putin’s most vocal political opponent, Alexei Navalny, died in an Arctic prison last month and his other critics are either in prison or in exile.
Putin, 71, faces three token rivals from Kremlin-friendly parties who have avoided any criticism of his 24-year rule or his invasion of Ukraine two years ago.
He touted Russia’s successes on the battlefield ahead of the election, but a massive Ukrainian drone strike across Russia early Sunday served as a reminder of the challenges Moscow faces.
Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed to have shot down 35 Ukrainian drones overnight, four of which were shot down near the Russian capital Moscow. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said there were no casualties or damage.