Russia Targeted by Ukrainian Drones
Russia reported being targeted by a wave of Ukrainian drones overnight on Sunday, coinciding with the final day of elections aimed at extending President Vladimir Putin’s rule.
Belgorod Blaze
A photo shared on Belgorod Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov’s Telegram account depicted a fireman battling a blaze caused by fresh aerial attacks on the Belgorod region in western Russia on Sunday, March 17, 2024.
The three-day voting process had already been marred by a surge in deadly Ukrainian bombardments, incursions into Russian territory by pro-Ukrainian sabotage groups, and vandalism at polling stations.
Air Defense Response
Air defenses in eight Russian regions, including Moscow, successfully intercepted and shot down 35 unmanned aerial vehicles. One of these drones caused a fire at an oil refinery overnight.
In the border city of Belgorod, Ukrainian shelling resulted in the tragic death of a 16-year-old girl and the injury of her father, as reported by Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of the Belgorod region.
Protests and Opposition
There were repeated acts of protest during the initial days of polling, including arrests of individuals accused of tampering with ballot boxes or carrying out arson attacks.
Opposition leader Alexei Navalny, before his recent passing, had urged Russians to protest on the final day of elections. His widow, Yulia Navalnaya, echoed his call for mass protests at polling stations.
- Protesters were encouraged to spoil ballots by writing “Navalny” on them or voting for candidates other than Putin.
- Public dissent in Russia has been met with severe consequences since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Putin’s Extended Rule
Vladimir Putin, aged 71 and in power since 1999, is poised to extend his presidency until at least 2030. If successful, he will surpass the tenure of any Russian leader since Catherine the Great in the 18th century.
- Putin is running unopposed, having disqualified candidates who opposed the war in Ukraine.
- The Kremlin frames the election as a demonstration of support for the invasion of Ukraine.
International Response
Ukraine and numerous international entities have denounced the elections as illegitimate and a “farce.” The United Nations and over 50 member-states have criticized Moscow for holding the vote in Ukrainian territories.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and others have rejected the attempted annexation of these regions as invalid under international law.
Media Portrayal and Conflict
Russian state media have highlighted recent military gains and framed the conflict as a battle for survival against Western aggression.
Moscow aims to capitalize on divisions over Western military support for Ukraine, despite reports of ammunition shortages on the front line.
