The elections indicate that Putin's popularity in Russia has risen to new heights despite the war in Ukraine, which has attracted international scorn. After the win, Putin warned that a Russia-NATO conflict would be one step away from World War Three as tensions are likely to escalate.
The final day will test the strength of the country's opposition, which called for all its supporters to vote at the same time at noon, in an action dubbed "Noon Against Putin."
The Russian Presidential elections this time will mark the election to use online voting — the option will be available in 27 Russian regions and Crimea, which Moscow illegally seized from Ukraine 10 years ago.
Commenting on Putin's words, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that Washington understood that the Russian leader was restating Moscow's nuclear doctrine, but accused Russia of deploying "reckless and irresponsible" nuclear rhetoric throughout the Ukraine conflict.
Amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Moscow is scheduled to hold Presidential elections from March 15-17. In charge of all the levers of state, incumbent Vladimir Putin, 71, is expected to easily win a landslide victory and another six-year term.
The stunning news — less than a month before an election that will give Putin another six years in power — brought renewed criticism and outrage directed at the Kremlin leader who has cracked down on all opposition at home.
Russian election officials will check the authenticity of the signatures submitted by Nadezhdin and other would-be candidates, several of whom have withdrawn from the race in recent days.
Putin's critics said the decision showed that no one with genuine opposition views would be allowed to stand against him next March in the first presidential election since the start of the 22-month war.
The stalemated war in Ukraine, unyielding Western pressure that compounds Russia's economic problems, and intensifying infighting among the ruling elite will loom over Putin's next term and erode his pledges of stability.
Russia Presidential elections date announced: Members of the Federation Council, Russia’s upper house of parliament, voted unanimously to approve a decree setting the date as March 17.
Moscow, Mar 4 :Polling stations have opened across Russia's vast expanse for the Presidential election widely expected to return Vladimir Putin to the Kremlin.Sunday's election comes in the wake of a series of massive protest
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