Russians are currently participating in the country's presidential election, with voting taking place in various regions, including annexed parts of Ukraine. Observers suggest that the outcome of the election is inevitable.
Some individuals, like a woman in Donetsk, express gratitude for Russia's acceptance and voice support for President Putin. Despite minimal campaigning efforts by Putin for his fifth term, recent opinion polls indicate that 86% of voters trust him.
The sudden death of Alexei Navalny, a prominent critic of the Kremlin, has left the Russian opposition disheartened. Political figures who have expressed dissent towards the Kremlin, such as Boris Nadezhdin, have been denied candidacy registration.
While there are multiple candidates on the ballot, including Nikolai Kharitonov of the Communist Party, the election is perceived as lacking genuine choice. Leonard Slutsky, previously accused of sexual harassment, has faced scrutiny but denied any wrongdoing.
Despite questions about Putin's leadership, independent election observers note that the final candidate, Vladislav Davankov, is maintaining a low profile to avoid drawing excessive attention. Criticism within Russian politics appears to be diminishing, with participation in the election being emphasized over dissent.
