Preliminary election results in Russia: Putin secures nearly 90%

According to preliminary data from the Russian Central Election Commission, which were released after counting 24% of the votes, Russian President Vladimir Putin secured 87.97% in the presidential elections held from March 15 to 17.

Nikolay Kharitonov received 3.8% of the votes, Vladislav Davankov got 3.73%, and Leonid Slutsky garnered 2.96%, as reported by RIA Novosti.

The agency highlights that the result achieved by the president marks a record in Russian history.

In 2018, Putin won 76.69% of the vote, while Boris Yeltsin only garnered the support of 53.82% of voters in 1996.

In situations where the outcome of a vote is predetermined, voter turnout serves as an indicator of government backing.

According to the Central Election Commission (CEC), turnout reached 73.33% of eligible voters. In Moscow, 66% of eligible voters cast their ballots, while in St. Petersburg, a record-breaking 70% turned out.

Russian media closely monitor voting activities in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories. The "Donetsk People’s Republic" emerged as the frontrunner, with 95.23% of votes cast in favor of Putin.