Vladimir Putin has declared a resounding victory in Russia’s presidential election, securing 87% of the vote, as thousands worldwide protested against his growing dictatorship, the conflict in Ukraine, and what they saw as a rigged election with an inevitable outcome.
The United States criticized the elections as “obviously not free nor fair”, but Putin disregarded Western criticism saying, such backlash was anticipated.
“What did you want, for them to applaud us? They’re fighting with us in an armed conflict … their goal is to contain our development. Of course they’re ready to say anything,” he said while addressing his supporters at campaign headquarters on March 17.
Highlighting the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Putin vowed to prioritize strengthening Russia’s military and defense capabilities.
International observers condemn elections
International observers have condemned the elections, citing Putin’s tight grip on power, restrictions on opposition candidates, and reports of electoral irregularities.
“The elections are obviously not free nor fair given how Mr Putin has imprisoned political opponents and prevented others from running against him,” said the US national security council spokesperson, John Kirby.
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: “The polls have closed in Russia, following the illegal holding of elections on Ukrainian territory, a lack of choice for voters and no independent OSCE monitoring. This is not what free and fair elections look like.”
Voting spanned three days across Russia’s extensive territory, encompassing annexed regions of Ukraine and online platforms. As voting commenced on March 17, Russian authorities reported a surge in attacks from Ukraine, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the Kremlin.
How Russians are protesting
Russian citizens protested by pouring dye into ballot boxes, lighting explosives, and attempting arson.
In areas, including a remote region of the Urals and Putin’s hometown of St. Petersburg, protesters reportedly tried to destroy ballot boxes using homemade Molotov cocktails in separate incidents, as per state media.
These incidents took place on the first day of a three-day voting period across Russia and parts of occupied Ukraine on Friday. Officials stated that these events would not affect the election, where Putin is running against three candidates with minimal chances of winning.
Boris Nadezhdin, a liberal politician barred from running in the election, expressed optimism that many Russians would defy Putin by voting for alternative candidates or expressing dissent in other ways.
“I believe that the Russian people today have a chance to show their real attitude to what is happening by voting not for Putin, but for some other candidates or in some other way, which is exactly what I did,” he said after voting in Dolgoprudny, a town just outside Moscow.
Protest in Berlin, Paris and other capitals
Significant queues formed outside diplomatic missions in London, Berlin, Paris, Milan, Belgrade, and other cities with sizable Russian populations to protest against “sham elections”.
In Berlin, protesters depicted Putin immersed in a bath of blood alongside shredded ballots bearing the Ukrainian flag, symbolizing opposition to his regime. Russian state media and officials touted the robust turnout abroad as a sign of strong support.
In Tallinn, where hundreds lined up outside the Russian Embassy, 23-year-old Tatiana voiced her determination to participate in the protest, emphasizing the importance of seizing any opportunity for dissent.
“If we have some option to protest I think it’s important to utilize any opportunity,” she said.