"Russian Election: Protests, Coercion, and Uncertain Futures"

Russian citizens have engaged in sporadic acts of protest during the presidential election, including pouring dye into ballot boxes and attempting arson, in a bid to challenge the expected victory of Vladimir Putin. The focus is on turnout and the legitimacy of the ballots, with high turnout seen as beneficial to the Kremlin. The death of opposition figure Alexei Navalny has heightened tensions, with his wife urging supporters to protest the election and calling on Western governments to refuse to recognize its outcome. The Kremlin is treating voter turnout as a referendum on the Ukraine war, with reports of coercion and manipulation of votes in both Russia and occupied Ukraine.