President Vladimir V. Putin has once again emerged victorious in the Russian Presidential Election, solidifying his rule until 2030. The election, which lacked real competition and was heavily stage-managed, aimed to showcase overwhelming public support for Putin’s domestic control and his invasion of Ukraine.

Despite some Russians attempting to turn the undemocratic election into a form of protest by forming long lines at polling stations, the Kremlin disregarded these challenges. The official results claimed that Putin secured a staggering 87 percent of the vote, a higher percentage than in any of his previous election victories.

Following the announcement of his triumph, Putin took to the airwaves for a televised victory lap, including a news conference where he made his first comments on the death of opposition leader Aleksei A. Navalny, referring to it as an “unfortunate incident.”

With this victory, Putin is poised to further entrench his control over Russian politics and continue the conflict in Ukraine. Western governments swiftly condemned the election as undemocratic, with Adrienne Watson, a spokesperson for President Biden’s National Security Council, denouncing it as “not free nor fair.”

As Putin embarks on his fifth term as president, he appears emboldened, escalating tensions with the West. In response to questions about the possibility of a conflict between Russia and NATO, Putin remarked, “I think that anything is possible in today’s world.”

The Kremlin views these elections as essential for Putin’s portrayal as a popular leader, planning to elevate hard-line supporters within the government to advance the war agenda.

The election results, touted by the Kremlin, saw over five million votes coming from Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine. However, the true extent of popular support for Putin remains dubious, given the lack of opposition candidates, widespread fraud, and limited transparency in the electoral process.

Political scientist Grigorii Golosov described the alleged vote share as characteristic of closed autocracies, highlighting the level of control the Russian authorities have over the electoral system. The election, which lasted three days for the first time, allowed the Kremlin to manipulate turnout and minimize scrutiny of potential fraud.

Since the invasion of Ukraine, Russia has engaged in repressive measures akin to Soviet-era tactics, stifling dissent and criminalizing antiwar sentiments.

While some voters expressed pride in voting for Putin, others saw it as a form of protest against a lack of alternatives. The elections witnessed unconventional demonstrations, such as voters lining up at polling stations at noon to signify discontent.

Despite international condemnation and internal dissent, Putin’s grip on power seems unshaken as he embarks on another term as Russia’s president. The future holds uncertainties, with escalating tensions and implications for global geopolitics.

Reporting was contributed by Alina Lobzina, Valerie Hopkins, Anatoly Kurmanaev, and Milana Mazaeva.