After declaring a “landslide victory” in another re-election, Russian President Vladimir Putin, at a press conference on Monday, said the country would not be “intimidated” by anyone, daily star reported.
Following Russia's presidential election, Putin hailed a victory that paves the way for the former spy to become the longest-serving Russian leader in more than 200 years.
All of the 71-year-old's main opponents, according to AFPThey are dead, imprisoned or exiled, while he has overseen a relentless crackdown on anyone who openly criticizes his authority or his military offensive in Ukraine.
Early on Monday, at a press conference at his campaign headquarters in Moscow, hours after polls closed, Putin said: “I want to thank all of you and all the citizens of the country for your support and this trust.
“No matter who or how much they want to intimidate us, no matter who or how much they want to suppress us, our will, our conscience, no one has achieved something like this in history. It hasn't worked now and it will.” It won't work in the future. Never.”
Putin received 87.2% of the total votes cast, according to official election data, and more than 80% of polling stations presented results.
This marks a historic victory in a presidential race in which he faced no real challenge.
The three-day elections led to an increase in deadly Ukrainian bombings, intrusions by pro-kyiv sabotage groups into Russian territory and damage to polling stations.
