Government says turnout is highest in history but thousands of voters protest against deepening dictatorship
The Kremlin has signalled that Vladimir Putin will claim a landslide victory in Russia’s presidential vote, as thousands in the country and around the world protested against his deepening dictatorship, the war in Ukraine and a stage-managed election that could have only one winner.
In the face of Putin’s predictable victory, Russia’s embattled opposition sought to put together its own show of strength. Long queues formed at several polling stations in Moscow and other Russian cities as people took up a call from the widow of the president’s most prominent opponent, Alexei Navalny, to head to the polls at noon on Sunday. Yulia Navalnayato appear en masse in the symbolic show of strength, labelled “noon against Putin”.
“At 11.55, there was no line at all. At 12.01 there was already a line of about 80 people,” Mediazona, an independent Russian outlet, reported from a polling station in the north-east of Moscow. Independent Russian media outlets also published images of spoiled ballots posted by voters, with “killer and thief” inscribed on some as well as the name “Navalny”.until at least 2030. Putin will celebrate the final results, which will be announced late on Sunday, at a concert tomorrow at the Luzhniki stadium set to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.
Russian prosecutors had on Friday threatened any voters who took part in the noon against Putin action with five years in prison. In the southern city of Kazan, police detained more than 20 voters who had joined the protest, according to the independent rights monitor OVD-Info. Arrests were also reported in Moscow and St Petersburg.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Vladimir Putin says nuclear facility in space is Russian priorityRussia&x27;s state agency said the president made the declaration in a meeting with members of government.
Read more »
Vladimir Putin wins Russian presidential election with almost 90pc of vote, but large protests spark 'hope'Vladimir Putin's grip on Russia's presidency has tightened after early results in an election many claim was rigged indicated he'd win almost 90 per cent of the vote — although not everything went his way.
Read more »
Western leaders blame Vladimir Putin for death of Alexei NavalnyRussian opposition leader Alexei Navalny died on Friday at the Arctic prison colony where he was serving a 19-year term, Russia's federal penitentiary service said.
Read more »
Alexei Navalny: Vladimir Putin’s power ‘now absolute’The Russian president despised the popular opposition figure and security forces will ensure his mourners are arrested “and then everything will die out”.
Read more »
‘Dangerous decade’: Europe is now at Vladimir Putin’s mercyAs Vladimir Putin ramps up spending on his military, Europe’s war chest is shrinking.
Read more »
‘Dangerous decade’: Europe is now at Vladimir Putin’s mercyAs Vladimir Putin ramps up spending on his military, Europe’s war chest is shrinking.
Read more »