The first day of voting in Russia’s presidential election was marred by acts of vandalism at polling stations Friday, with at least nine arrests for pouring dye into ballot boxes and arson attacks. Despite authorities warning that election-day protesters faced heavy punishment, at least nine were arrested for acts of vandalism at polling stations. Close to the border with Ukraine, a wave of Ukrainian drone and artillery strikes killed two people in the Belgorod region. On the eve of the vote, Putin urged Russians to back him in the face of a “difficult period” for the country. It was unclear whether the spate of polling station incidents was a coordinated protest against the ballot or an isolated incident.

Source: Punch March 16, 2024 02:00 UTC