Nicolas Tonev // Photo credit: STRINGER / AFP
modified to
7:03 p.m., March 16, 2024
Presidential election weekend in Russia, with a result that everyone already knows. The second day of voting has already ended in the Russian Far East and Siberia. The objective for the Russian authorities is to show images of joy and smiles on television. On this level, it is a failure, because this voting day was eventful.
The presidential election takes place all weekend in the Russian Federation. An election whose final result is already known to everyone, with the re-election of Vladimir Putin. The objective for the Russian authorities is to show scenes of jubilation around the polling stations on all televisions in the country. A difficult mission, because this second day of voting was eventful.
The opposition mobilizes during this election
Opponents have succeeded, on the scale of the fear that reigns in Russia, in mobilizing. More than twenty protest actions were carried out from Moscow to the Urals, via Siberia and central Russia. Opponents covered ballot papers with dyes, poured paint into ballot boxes and even managed to set fires in front of or in polling stations. Those arrested risk up to five years in prison.
In the border regions of Ukraine, especially in Belgorod, messages at polling stations announced a possible missile attack from Ukraine and that people should move away from the windows. The city was also bombed, even killing two people. A situation which does not please the inhabitants of Belgorod: “I do not like this situation, we get used to it as best we can”, “We will hold on, we will win, but for the children and the grandchildren, it is shocking”.
A difficult situation in Belgorod, and the Russian authorities will face these attacks from Ukraine again tomorrow, in addition to the protest movements planned by supporters of the late Alexeï Navalny.