VISUAL REPORTS
Putin Celebrates Victory With Supporters
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with supporters and reporters late on March 18 at his campaign headquarters in Moscow after results showed a landslide victory in the first round of the country's presidential election.
Ukrainian Nationalists In Kyiv Protest Russian Vote
Members of Ukrainian nationalist groups gathered for a stunt-filled protest near Russia's embassy and consulate in Kyiv on March 18, having earlier pledged to prevent Russians from voting in the presidential election on Ukrainian territory. Ukrainian authorities announced that only Russian diplomats in Ukraine would be allowed to vote at Russian diplomatic missions.
Russia’s Diverse Electorate
Rocketman, ancient warriors, Siberia’s intrepid swimmers, Gérard Depardieu, plus those who sought the full-body experience inside the ballot box. (Russian Service, Facebook)
Stuffing The Ballot Box, Here, Here, and Here
Current Time TV recorded numerous instances of ballot box stuffing across Russia. In some cases, local election authorities addressed the violations. (102k views, Current Time TV, Facebook)
Generation Putin
They were babies when Vladimir Putin first became Russian president. Meet "Generation Putin."
OTHER NEWS
BREAKING: Russia Begins Military Drills In Crimea And Across Southern Region
On March 19, Russia began missile and artillery exercises in several southern territories, including Georgia’s break-away Abkhazia region and South Ossetia, annexed Crimea, and regions adjacent to the Ukrainian border. Russia’s southern military command reports that 8,000 soldier and 1,500 units of military equipment, including modern multiple launch rocket systems, are involved in the drills. (Russian Service)
7:40am -- Good Morning!
[Excerpt from Current Time TV’s daily, first-read for Russian-speaking audiences.]
Russia’s elections went remarkably well, despite the voter turnout of 67 percent, instead of the intended 70 percent, which many Kremlin insiders say was the goal. However, in some villages in Chukotka and Kamchatka, Russia-backed separatist regions in eastern Ukraine, and the International Space Station, turnout was 100 percent. Russia’s Central Election Commission reports that it valiantly defended the process from cyber attacks waged by 13 different countries.
THE POWER VERTICAL: Putin’s Brezhnev Moment
After winning a fourth term with well over 70 percent of the vote, Russian President Vladimir Putin has just matched Brezhnev in the number of times he was "elected."
Near-Final Results Give Putin Landslide Win
Russian President Vladimir Putin has won six more years in office, with near-final results handing him a landslide victory amid reports of thousands of violations and widespread pressure on citizens to vote.
Five Of The Most In-Your-Face Shenanigans Of Russia’s Election
The results of Russia’s presidential election were never in doubt, but that doesn’t mean election day passed with no surprises. Here are some of the more flagrant instances of election violations and notable shenanigans recorded around the country.
As Putin Cruises, Navalny And Sobchak Spar In Election-Day Standoff
On the margins of the main event, Aleksei Navalny and Ksenia Sobchak provided a lively sideshow on election day -- but it may have done little to help the opposition's cause.
Russia Sells $4 Billion Of Eurobonds Despite Escalating Tensions
Russia has sold $4 billion in debt on the Eurobond market in London, with global investors showing a robust appetite for two Eurobond issues offered on March 16. The bond managers say they received $7.5 billion in bids, nearly twice the amount of bonds for sale.
Poroshenko Urges More Sanctions Following Russian Elections In Crimea
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko called for strengthening sanctions against Russian authorities and individuals who organized the polls in Russia-annexed Crimea on March 18, citing not only aggression against Ukraine, but also “hybrid war against the...Euro-Atlantic community, political assassinations abroad, and the suppression of democracy inside Russia itself." (Ukrainian Service)
Montenegro Seeks To Stare Down Fancy Bear As Election Looms
Over the last two years, authorities in Montenegro have recorded a sharp rise in cyberattacks that have targeted state institutions and media outlets in the aspiring EU state.
EU Takes UK Accusations In Skripal Case ‘Extremely Seriously’
British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson called Moscow's denials over its role in the poisoning of a former Russian spy in Britain "increasingly absurd." EU ministers meeting in Brussels on March 19 declared that the bloc “takes extremely seriously” the UK’s assessment that the Russian Federation is likely responsible for the attack.
NATO Set To Begin Move To New HQ
NATO will begin moving some 4,000 personnel into its new headquarters in Brussels after several delays caused by technical problems, in a process expected to take 12 weeks to complete.
BLOGGING THE CAUCASUS: Has Russia Called Georgia’s Bluff?
On March 9, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili publicly appealed to Russia to embark on “sensible, if small” steps aimed at breaking their countries’ diplomatic impasse. Three days later, the Russian Foreign Ministry welcomed the initiative, while placing the onus on Tbilisi by stipulating that “Russia…is ready to go as far as Tbilisi is.”