"Kremlin Acknowledges Anti-War Candidate Boris Nadezhdin's Challenge to Putin in Russian Election"

Russian state TV, after largely ignoring Boris Nadezhdin's presidential candidacy, is now claiming that his sudden popularity is due to foreign interference by Ukrainian intelligence, Navalny supporters, and exiled Kremlin critics. Propagandist Vladimir Solovyov accused Nadezhdin of being controlled by Ukrainian Nazis and suggested that his candidacy is a setup for a criminal case. Despite speculation that Nadezhdin will be allowed to register for the election to discredit him, sources in the Russian leadership doubt he will be permitted to run. Nadezhdin's rating has reached 10 percent among potential voters, but the Kremlin has been reluctant to allow anti-war candidates to register for the election. The Central Election Commission has 10 days to decide on Nadezhdin's eligibility, with the election scheduled for March 15 to 17.