Vladimir Putin’s victory all but certain as Russians head to the polls

Longtime Russian leader faces no meaningful opposition after death in Arctic penal colony of Alexei Navalny

Voters in Russia headed to the polls across the country’s 11 time zones on Friday for a three-day presidential election that is all but certain to extend Vladimir Putin’s 24-year rule until at least 2030.

The longtime Russian leader is facing no meaningful opposition after the Russian authorities barred two candidates who voiced their opposition to the war in Ukraine from running. Three other politicians running in the election do not directly question Putin’s authority and their participation is meant to add a facade of legitimacy to the race.