Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is trying to use the claimed record levels of voter turnout and support for his presidential candidacy to establish informational conditions for a protracted war in Ukraine, according to a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
According to the Russian Central Election Commission, Putin allegedly received record-breaking support ranging from 88.12% to 95.23% in the temporarily occupied regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions, as well as in Crimea.
"Russian occupation officials have likely falsified record high support for Putin in occupied Ukraine and likely coerced Ukrainian citizens to participate in the elections, which were inherently coercive given the large number of Russian forces operating in occupied Ukraine," the ISW report said.
At a press conference following the voting, the Institute for the Study of War continues, Putin stated that he did not expect such high election results in the occupied territories of Ukraine. He noted that the results indicate gratitude for Russian protection and added that Russia will do everything to ensure the protection of temporarily occupied Ukraine.
"Putin is likely continuing efforts to set informational conditions to justify a protracted conflict and long-term occupation of Ukraine under the guise of protecting civilians in occupied Ukraine who are only in danger because of the Russian invasion," the ISW report states.
Election in Russia
From March 15 to 17, Russia held another presidential election, in which victory was predicted for Vladimir Putin.
The incumbent dictator received over 87% of the votes, the highest result in all post-Soviet history of Russia. This result means that the 71-year-old Putin will gain a new six-year term, surpassing Joseph Stalin and becoming the longest-serving leader of Russia in over 200 years.
On the evening of March 17, Putin held a press conference, during which he made a cynical statement regarding the death in a colony of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny.
Furthermore, the dictator announced plans to strengthen the army and create a sanitary zone in Ukraine.
More details about what awaits Russia after the elections are in the article by RBC-Ukraine.