Vladimir Putin secured his fourth six-year term at the helm of Russia, collecting 76,65% of the vote, with 99% of the constituencies integrated. Almost 55,5 million Russians voted for him.
Speaking from a podium next to Red Square, in front of an enthusiastic crowd, he said that the election result is the recognition of what has been achieved in recent years, despite the difficult conditions.
Thanking the voters for their support, he assured that Russia has a great future ahead of it, provided its people remain united.
Referring to the crisis in relations with the United Kingdom, he said that the accusations that Russia had done such a thing were "nonsense", that Russia did not have such weapons, and that if the attack had been carried out with such a neurotoxic agent, many people would have died. He added that he was ready to cooperate with the British authorities.
According to the Russian Electoral Commission, the Communist candidate Pavel Grudinin received 11,82% of the vote, the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia Vladimir Zirinovsky received 5,68%, while the candidate of the Citizens' Initiative, 1,66 XNUMX% of the votes.
Yabloko party co-founder Grigory Yavlinsky received 1,04% of the vote, Baris Titov 0,75%, the other communist candidate Maxim Suraikin 0,68% and Sergei Baburin 0,65%.
In 2012, Vladimir Putin won the presidential election with 63,6% of the vote.