Russian presidential election: Putin calls for people to show "patriotism" and come vote. In the wake of new threats to the West, the Russian president places the war in Ukraine as a backdrop to his call to the polls.
The presidential vote, which extends over three days, begins with the opening of polling stations in the Far East at 8 a.m. local Friday (8 p. m. GMT Thursday) and ends with the closing of those in Kaliningrad on Sunday.