Vladimir Putin is widely expected to be re-elected. The outgoing president faces three candidates without scope who oppose neither the offensive in Ukraine nor the repression which has eradicated all opposition.
The only opponent to have attempted to run, Boris Nadejdine, saw his candidacy rejected. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on the eve of the vote: “Elections in Russia will not be free and fair. We already know that opposition politicians are in prison, some have been killed.”