Yulia Navalnaya, wife of deceased Russian opposition member Alexei Navalny cast her vote&nbsp;in Russia's presidential election from the Russian embassy in Berlin on Sunday (Mar 17).&nbsp;

She was welcomed with loud cheers from the crowds when she joined them outside the polling station on the final day of voting, before erupting into a chant of her name.&nbsp;

A large group of people had gathered outside the embassy at noon, following calls for midday protests against President Vladimir Putin.&nbsp;

Navalny spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh posted pictures on X of Navalnaya standing in line in Berlin where Russians queued up to vote.&nbsp;

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Юля Навальная <a href="https://twitter.com/yulia_navalnaya?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@yulia_navalnaya</a> на «полдне против Путина» <a href="https://t.co/VcLgfUCApq">pic.twitter.com/VcLgfUCApq</a>
— Кира Ярмыш (@Kira_Yarmysh) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kira_Yarmysh/status/1769323552400937171?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-war-frances-macron-says-russia-will-be-asked-to-observe-ceasefire-during-paris-olympics-701050">France's Macron says Russia will be asked to observe ceasefire during Paris Olympics</a>&nbsp;

Exiled Navalny supporters broadcast footage of protests inside Russia and abroad on YouTube.&nbsp;

Ruslan Shaveddinov of Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation said, "We showed ourselves, all of Russia and the whole world that Putin is not Russia that Putin has seized power in Russia. Our victory is that we, the people, defeated fear, we defeated solitude - many people saw they were not alone."&nbsp;

Russia's opposition called for people to collectively spoil their ballots or vote against Putin. Queues, similar to Berlin, were also seen outside polling stations in Moscow and Saint Petersburg at noon.&nbsp;

There was no independent count of how many of Russia's 114 million voters participated in the opposition protests. The elections were held under extraordinarily tight security with tens of thousands of police and security officers.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-drone-attacks-spark-brief-fire-at-oil-refinery-in-russia-701082">Ukraine drone attacks spark fire at oil refinery in Russia, disrupt power in border areas</a>&nbsp;

<h2>Voter turnout data&nbsp;</h2>

Voter turnout in the Russian presidential election stood at 65.05 per cent as of 12:50 pm (Moscow time) on Sunday, TASS reported citing live updates from the Central Election Commission.&nbsp;

"[Voter turnout] as the election is going on: 65.05%," data on the information board of the election authority read. TASS stated that the data excludes the number of online voters though.

The report mentioned that the voter turnout has already beat the 2018 record, as per the election commission's website and two online voting platforms.&nbsp;

Watch this report:&nbsp;

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<h2>Putin to tighten grip on power</h2>

With the election in the country, Putin is poised to tighten his grip on power as polls are certain to deliver him a landslide victory.&nbsp;

Putin, who rose to power in 1999, is set to win a new six-year term that would enable him to overtake Josef Stalin and become Russia's longest-serving leader for more than 200 years.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Yulia Navalnaya, wife of deceased Russian opposition member Alexei Navalny cast her vote in Russia's presidential election from the Russian embassy in Berlin on Sunday (Mar 17).

Yulia Navalnaya, wife of deceased Russian opposition member Alexei Navalny cast her vote in Russia's presidential election from the Russian embassy in Berlin on Sunday (Mar 17). She was welcomed with loud cheers from the crowds when she joined them outside the polling station on the final day of voting, before erupting into a chant of her name. A large group of people had gathered outside the embassy at noon, following calls for midday protests against President Vladimir Putin. Navalny spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh posted pictures on X of Navalnaya standing in line in Berlin where Russians queued up to vote. Юля Навальная @yulia_navalnaya на «полдне против Путина» pic.twitter.com/VcLgfUCApq — Кира Ярмыш (@Kira_Yarmysh) March 17, 2024 × pic.twitter.com/dH2qOr8lFT — Кира Ярмыш (@Kira_Yarmysh) March 17, 2024 × Also read: France's Macron says Russia will be asked to observe ceasefire during Paris Olympics Exiled Navalny supporters broadcast footage of protests inside Russia and abroad on YouTube. Ruslan Shaveddinov of Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation said, "We showed ourselves, all of Russia and the whole world that Putin is not Russia that Putin has seized power in Russia. Our victory is that we, the people, defeated fear, we defeated solitude - many people saw they were not alone." Russia's opposition called for people to collectively spoil their ballots or vote against Putin. Queues, similar to Berlin, were also seen outside polling stations in Moscow and Saint Petersburg at noon. There was no independent count of how many of Russia's 114 million voters participated in the opposition protests. The elections were held under extraordinarily tight security with tens of thousands of police and security officers. Also read: Ukraine drone attacks spark fire at oil refinery in Russia, disrupt power in border areas Voter turnout data Voter turnout in the Russian presidential election stood at 65.05 per cent as of 12:50 pm (Moscow time) on Sunday, TASS reported citing live updates from the Central Election Commission. "[Voter turnout] as the election is going on: 65.05%," data on the information board of the election authority read. TASS stated that the data excludes the number of online voters though. The report mentioned that the voter turnout has already beat the 2018 record, as per the election commission's website and two online voting platforms. Watch this report: × Putin to tighten grip on power With the election in the country, Putin is poised to tighten his grip on power as polls are certain to deliver him a landslide victory. Putin, who rose to power in 1999, is set to win a new six-year term that would enable him to overtake Josef Stalin and become Russia's longest-serving leader for more than 200 years. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia presidential election: Alexei Navalny’s wife casts vote from embassy in Berlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin clinched a historic fifth term, securing a landslide victory in the presidential polls with no serious challengers. In his victory speech Putin vowed to strengthen Russia's military.

Vladimir Putin wins Russian presidential polls for record fifth term

President Vladimir Putin won a record post-Soviet landslide in Russia's election on Sunday, cementing his already tight grip on power in a victory he said showed Moscow had been right to stand up to the West and send its troops into Ukraine.

Putin wins poll with 87.97% votes, Opponents stage 'noon against Putin' protest

The presidential elections in Russia entered the third and final day on Sunday (Mar 17) with Moscow accusing Ukraine of using air attacks to try to sabotage the polls.

The presidential elections in Russia entered the third and final day on Sunday (Mar 17) with Moscow accusing Ukraine of using air attacks to try to sabotage the polls. Citing local Russian officials, a report by the news agency Reuters said that Ukrainian forces continued their strikes on Russian regions along the Ukraine border. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky did not address the reported attacks in his nightly video address on Saturday. On Friday, the first day of the elections, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of trying to disrupt the polls with its intensified drone and missile attacks inside Russia and on Moscow-held territory in Ukraine. Also read | Governor of Russia’s Belgorod shuts schools and shopping centres for safety reasons More than half of the Russian voters have cast their votes on Friday and Saturday. The elections are expected to keep President Putin in power for another six terms. 'Noon against Putin' Sunday will test the strength of the country's opposition, which called for all its supporters to vote at the same time at noon, in an action called "Noon Against Putin." This initiative has been endorsed by the now-deceased Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's wife Yulia Navalnaya. Also watch | Russia is ready for nuclear conflict in the Ukraine war × Supporters of Navalny called on people across Russia to vote at the same time at noon on Sunday in each of the country's 11 time zones. "Today we want to say to all of us - noon is the very beginning. Yes, some of us are scared. Yes, the choice is not easy. But we are the people. And we will cope with both the choice and the responsibility," the initiative wrote on Telegram on Sunday. Ukrainians forced to vote at gunpoint With Russia accusing Ukraine of sabotaging the elections, Ukrainians living in territories occupied by Russian forces were allegedly being forced to vote at gunpoint. A report by The Washington Post early Sunday said that heavily armed, masked Russian soldiers were accompanying election officials going from house to house and forcing Ukrainians to vote. Yevheniia Hliebova, the head of the Novomykolaivka village military administration in Kherson, described the situation as an election at gunpoint. Hliebova, who has left the occupied region, told the publication that Ukrainians who refused to vote were threatened with repercussions. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia presidential polls 2024: Moscow accuses Ukraine of election sabotage

Russia Presidential Elections 2024: Polling stations are being readied across Russia ahead of the country's presidential election scheduled for March 15-17 in which President Vladimir Putin is certain to win. The voting will also take place in what Moscow says are its new territories, parts of internationally-recognised Ukrainian territories captured by Russia during the war in Ukraine. &nbsp;

Results will follow shortly afterwards on March 17 and the winner will be inaugurated in May.&nbsp;

Russian President Vladimir Putin is defending his record in the face of war in Ukraine launched by him in February 2022 and sentiments in and beyond Moscow's corridors of power following the death of prominent Russian dissident Alexei Navalny last month.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-opposition-politician-alexei-navalny-is-dead-reports-690945">Alexei Navalny, most ardent Putin critic in recent years dies in prison, says Russian state media</a>

But by promoting manufacturing at home, sourcing the imports from 'friendly' countries and gradually decreasing the discounts on oil exports, Putin has managed to keep the Russian economy standing despite unprecedented Western sanctions in the wake of the war in Ukraine.&nbsp;

<h2>How many voters are in Russia?</h2>

There are 112.3 million eligible voters in Russia. Another 1.9 million people abroad have the right to vote and 12,000 in Baikonur, a cosmodrome that Russia rents in Kazakhstan.&nbsp;

Around 70-80 million people usually cast ballots. Turnout in 2018 was 67.5 per cent.&nbsp;

Also watch |&nbsp;Russia's Putin makes final pitch to voters ahead of election

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President Vladimir Putin is running against Communist Nikolai Kharitonov, Leonid Slutsky, leader of the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party, and Vladislav Davankov of the New People party.&nbsp;

Boris Nadezhdin and Yekaterina Duntsova, anti-war candidates were barred from running in the polls.

<h2>Vladimir Putin as Russia's president</h2>

At 71, Putin, a former KGB lieutenant colonel, remains Russian leader since 1999.&nbsp;

In 1999, he was first appointed acting president by Boris Yeltsin.&nbsp;

Putin won the 2000 presidential election with 53 per cent of the vote and the 2004 election with 71.3 per cent of the vote.

In 2008, Dmitry Medvedev ran for president and Putin served as prime minister before winning 63.6 per cent of the vote in the 2012 presidential election and 76.7 per cent in 2018.

Putin's supporters say that he managed to halt the Soviet decline which peaked in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union. He is credited with having restored the clout once held by the general secretaries who ruled the Soviet Union while standing up to what the Kremlin casts as a declining West led by the United States.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russia Presidential Elections 2024: Polling stations are being readied across Russia ahead of the country's presidential election scheduled for March 15-17 in which President Vladimir Putin is certain to win.

Russia Presidential Elections 2024: Polling stations are being readied across Russia ahead of the country's presidential election scheduled for March 15-17 in which President Vladimir Putin is certain to win. The voting will also take place in what Moscow says are its new territories, parts of internationally-recognised Ukrainian territories captured by Russia during the war in Ukraine. Results will follow shortly afterwards on March 17 and the winner will be inaugurated in May. Russian President Vladimir Putin is defending his record in the face of war in Ukraine launched by him in February 2022 and sentiments in and beyond Moscow's corridors of power following the death of prominent Russian dissident Alexei Navalny last month. Also read | Alexei Navalny, most ardent Putin critic in recent years dies in prison, says Russian state media But by promoting manufacturing at home, sourcing the imports from 'friendly' countries and gradually decreasing the discounts on oil exports, Putin has managed to keep the Russian economy standing despite unprecedented Western sanctions in the wake of the war in Ukraine. How many voters are in Russia? There are 112.3 million eligible voters in Russia. Another 1.9 million people abroad have the right to vote and 12,000 in Baikonur, a cosmodrome that Russia rents in Kazakhstan. Around 70-80 million people usually cast ballots. Turnout in 2018 was 67.5 per cent. Also watch | Russia's Putin makes final pitch to voters ahead of election × President Vladimir Putin is running against Communist Nikolai Kharitonov, Leonid Slutsky, leader of the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party, and Vladislav Davankov of the New People party. Boris Nadezhdin and Yekaterina Duntsova, anti-war candidates were barred from running in the polls. Vladimir Putin as Russia's president At 71, Putin, a former KGB lieutenant colonel, remains Russian leader since 1999. In 1999, he was first appointed acting president by Boris Yeltsin. Putin won the 2000 presidential election with 53 per cent of the vote and the 2004 election with 71.3 per cent of the vote. In 2008, Dmitry Medvedev ran for president and Putin served as prime minister before winning 63.6 per cent of the vote in the 2012 presidential election and 76.7 per cent in 2018. Putin's supporters say that he managed to halt the Soviet decline which peaked in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union. He is credited with having restored the clout once held by the general secretaries who ruled the Soviet Union while standing up to what the Kremlin casts as a declining West led by the United States. (With inputs from agencies)

Putin's Russia enters election mode with 'new' territories from Ukraine: Top points

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday urged voters, including those in annexed parts of Ukraine, to cast their votes in Russia's upcoming presidential election, where he is expected to secure a victory.&nbsp;

This comes as Moldova accused Russia of violating its laws by printing ballot papers in the separatist region of Transdniestria for the Russian presidential election.

<h2>Exercise your right to vote: Putin</h2>

In a video address, Putin told citizens, "It is vital to underscore our cohesion and resolve and move forward together. Every vote you cast is valued and meaningful."

"I therefore ask you in the coming three days to exercise your right to vote," he added.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-redefines-extremism-in-the-face-of-rising-hate-crimes-critics-call-it-a-threat-to-free-speech-699848">Britain redefines 'extremism' in the face of rising hate crimes, critics call it a threat to free speech</a>

Putin's address highlighted the voters' desire for a strong, prosperous, and free Russia, "in order to raise living standards and the quality of life."&nbsp;

"And that is how it will be," he said, emphasising that voting was a "demonstration of patriotic feeling," particularly in areas of eastern and southern Ukraine now under Russian control.

Putin, who faces three challengers, none of whom have criticised him, enjoys strong support, with recent polls showing him standing at 75 per cent approval.&nbsp;

However, two candidates who were seeking to end the conflict in Ukraine have been disqualified.

<h2>Moldova's allegations&nbsp;against Russia</h2>

Meanwhile, ex-Soviet Moldova has accused Russia of breaking laws by printing ballot papers in Transdniestria ahead of the Russian presidential election.&nbsp;

"These ballots were more than likely printed right there (in Transdniestria) to avoid taking them through a border crossing," said the nation's Deputy Prime Minister Oleg Serebrian before a government meeting.

"It is hard to say how they would have been brought over a border. Moldova's borders are controlled and there is no way of legally bringing them in or taking them out."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/this-is-what-new-russian-school-textbook-says-about-crimea-mariupol-nato-699797">This is what new Russian school textbook says about Crimea, Mariupol, and NATO</a>

The country's pro-European authorities also summoned the Russian ambassador to protest Russia's decision to open six polling stations in Transdniestria, arguing it breached an agreement allowing voting only at the Russian embassy in Chisinau.

Transdniestria, which split from Moldova as the Soviet Union collapsed, remains unrecognised internationally and heavily reliant on Russian support. The region's printing of ballots in defiance of Moldovan laws is seen as a challenge to Moldova's authority.

However, the Russian ambassador called the complaint unfounded and said that Moscow was simply enabling around 250,000 Russian nationals in Moldova to vote.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday urged voters, including those in annexed parts of Ukraine, to cast their votes in Russia's upcoming presidential election, where he is expected to secure a victory.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday urged voters, including those in annexed parts of Ukraine, to cast their votes in Russia's upcoming presidential election, where he is expected to secure a victory. This comes as Moldova accused Russia of violating its laws by printing ballot papers in the separatist region of Transdniestria for the Russian presidential election. Exercise your right to vote: Putin In a video address, Putin told citizens, "It is vital to underscore our cohesion and resolve and move forward together. Every vote you cast is valued and meaningful." "I therefore ask you in the coming three days to exercise your right to vote," he added. Also read | Britain redefines 'extremism' in the face of rising hate crimes, critics call it a threat to free speech Putin's address highlighted the voters' desire for a strong, prosperous, and free Russia, "in order to raise living standards and the quality of life." "And that is how it will be," he said, emphasising that voting was a "demonstration of patriotic feeling," particularly in areas of eastern and southern Ukraine now under Russian control. Putin, who faces three challengers, none of whom have criticised him, enjoys strong support, with recent polls showing him standing at 75 per cent approval. However, two candidates who were seeking to end the conflict in Ukraine have been disqualified. Moldova's allegations against Russia Meanwhile, ex-Soviet Moldova has accused Russia of breaking laws by printing ballot papers in Transdniestria ahead of the Russian presidential election. "These ballots were more than likely printed right there (in Transdniestria) to avoid taking them through a border crossing," said the nation's Deputy Prime Minister Oleg Serebrian before a government meeting. "It is hard to say how they would have been brought over a border. Moldova's borders are controlled and there is no way of legally bringing them in or taking them out." Also read | This is what new Russian school textbook says about Crimea, Mariupol, and NATO The country's pro-European authorities also summoned the Russian ambassador to protest Russia's decision to open six polling stations in Transdniestria, arguing it breached an agreement allowing voting only at the Russian embassy in Chisinau. Transdniestria, which split from Moldova as the Soviet Union collapsed, remains unrecognised internationally and heavily reliant on Russian support. The region's printing of ballots in defiance of Moldovan laws is seen as a challenge to Moldova's authority. However, the Russian ambassador called the complaint unfounded and said that Moscow was simply enabling around 250,000 Russian nationals in Moldova to vote. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia election 2024: Putin urges citizens to vote even as Moldova accuses Moscow of breaking laws

Russian foreign intelligence agency accused the United States of attempting to meddle in the country's upcoming presidential election later this week in which President Vladimir Putin is set to extend his hold over Moscow's corridors of power.&nbsp;

Russia's SVR Foreign Intelligence Service&nbsp;claimed that the Biden administration had plans to launch cyber attacks on the online voting system, to interfere with the purported integrity of the election process.&nbsp;SVR,&nbsp;the main successor to the KGB's First Directorate foreign spying service, stands for Sluzhba Vneshney Razvedki. It translates to "Foreign Intelligence Service" in Russian.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russias-putin-promises-harsh-punishment-for-foreign-meddling-in-2024-election-670172">Russian President Putin promises harsh punishment for foreign meddling in 2024 election</a>

Putin himself has warned the West against meddling in Russia's electoral affairs, adding that such actions would be considered acts of aggression.&nbsp;

Russia is scheduled to hold presidential elections between March 15 and 17.

<h2>What did Russia's SVR say?</h2>

The SVR said: "According to information received by the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation, the administration of Joe Biden is setting a task for American NGOs to achieve a decrease in turnout. With the participation of leading American IT specialists, it is planned to carry out cyber attacks on the remote electronic voting system, which will make it impossible to count the votes of a significant proportion of Russian voters."

Washington is yet to respond to these claims.&nbsp;

<h2>West Vs Putin and Russia's presidential elections</h2>

The West has portrayed Putin as a leader with a dictatorial bend, a 'war criminal', and an aggressor who is spearheading Russia's expansionist belligerence in the context of the war in Ukraine.&nbsp;

Putin, on the other hand, frames the Ukraine war as an existential battle between a "sacred" Russian civilisation and a declining West that has sought to humiliate Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The Kremlin last week said that Moscow would not interfere in the upcoming US presidential election in which Joe Biden is set to clash with former US president and Republican frontrunner Donald Trump. Moscow has consistently&nbsp;dismissed previous American assertions that it orchestrated campaigns to influence both the 2016 and 2020 US presidential elections.

Also watch |&nbsp;Will Russia meddle in the US presidential election? Here's what Kremlin has to say

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Meanwhile, Putin who has led Russia for almost all of the twenty-first century, has expressed a preference for Joe Biden over Donald Trump as the next US president.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Russian foreign intelligence agency accused the United States of attempting to meddle in the country's upcoming presidential election later this week in which President Vladimir Putin is set to extend his hold over Moscow's corridors of power.

Russian foreign intelligence agency accused the United States of attempting to meddle in the country's upcoming presidential election later this week in which President Vladimir Putin is set to extend his hold over Moscow's corridors of power. Russia's SVR Foreign Intelligence Service claimed that the Biden administration had plans to launch cyber attacks on the online voting system, to interfere with the purported integrity of the election process. SVR, the main successor to the KGB's First Directorate foreign spying service, stands for Sluzhba Vneshney Razvedki. It translates to "Foreign Intelligence Service" in Russian. Also read | Russian President Putin promises harsh punishment for foreign meddling in 2024 election Putin himself has warned the West against meddling in Russia's electoral affairs, adding that such actions would be considered acts of aggression. Russia is scheduled to hold presidential elections between March 15 and 17. What did Russia's SVR say? The SVR said: "According to information received by the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation, the administration of Joe Biden is setting a task for American NGOs to achieve a decrease in turnout. With the participation of leading American IT specialists, it is planned to carry out cyber attacks on the remote electronic voting system, which will make it impossible to count the votes of a significant proportion of Russian voters." Washington is yet to respond to these claims. West Vs Putin and Russia's presidential elections The West has portrayed Putin as a leader with a dictatorial bend, a 'war criminal', and an aggressor who is spearheading Russia's expansionist belligerence in the context of the war in Ukraine. Putin, on the other hand, frames the Ukraine war as an existential battle between a "sacred" Russian civilisation and a declining West that has sought to humiliate Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The Kremlin last week said that Moscow would not interfere in the upcoming US presidential election in which Joe Biden is set to clash with former US president and Republican frontrunner Donald Trump. Moscow has consistently dismissed previous American assertions that it orchestrated campaigns to influence both the 2016 and 2020 US presidential elections. Also watch | Will Russia meddle in the US presidential election? Here's what Kremlin has to say × Meanwhile, Putin who has led Russia for almost all of the twenty-first century, has expressed a preference for Joe Biden over Donald Trump as the next US president. (With inputs from agencies)

Russian intel agency says US planning cyber attacks to influence country’s presidential elections

Russian President Vladimir Putin will seek re-election as an independent candidate in 2024, Russian news agencies reported on Saturday (Dec 16).

On Saturday, a group of over 700 politicians and figures from the sporting and cultural worlds met in Moscow and gave unanimous endorsement to Vladimir Putin as an independent candidate.&nbsp;

Putin announced earlier this month that he will seek another six-year term in March next year in Russian presidential election.&nbsp;

Andrei Turchak, senior United Russia party official, told RIA news agency that Putin has complete support of the party despite the serving president's status as an independent candidate.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/trending/the-longestruling-world-leaders-putin-lukashenko-right-now-1702141879742">The Longest-Ruling World Leaders Right Now</a>

As the largest party in Russia, it holds 325 of the 450 seats in the State Duma as of 2022, having constituted the majority in the chamber since 2007.

Putin has led Russia as either president or prime minister since 1999. The 71-year-old swapped presidential job with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in 2008, following which he changed the rules that limited consecutive presidential mandates. He has been president since 2012 and can potentially remain so until 2036.&nbsp;

Also watch |&nbsp;Russian president Vladimir Putin's re-election pitch

As prime minister, Putin in 2011 forged a political coalition called All-Russia People's Front (in Russian: ONF) to provide the United Russia political party with "new ideas, new suggestions and new faces".&nbsp;

The ONF aims to forge formal alliances between United Russia (the ruling party from 2001 onwards) and numerous Russian non-governmental organisations.

<h2>Putin's next presidential run: Aren't there any other candidates?</h2>

Several other candidates, including representatives of the Communist and Liberal Democratic parties that have given the semblance of opposition to Putin during his previous campaigns.

The Liberal-leaning Boris Nadezhdin is also one of the few Russian politicians who have announced their intention to run. Nadezhdin has called the war in Ukraine Putin's "fatal mistake".

Also read&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-putin-presidency-and-elections-the-ruling-russian-trio-of-convenience-668005">Explained | Putin, presidency and elections — a race of convenience for indisputable rule</a>

On the federal level, Russia elects a president as head of state and a parliament, one of the two chambers of the Federal Assembly. Since 2008, the president can hold four consecutive six-year terms.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russian President Vladimir Putin will seek re-election as an independent candidate in 2024, Russian news agencies reported on Saturday (Dec 16). On Saturday, a group of over 700 politicians and figures from the sporting and cultural worlds met in Moscow and gave unanimous endorsement to Vladimir Putin as an independent candidate.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will seek re-election as an independent candidate in 2024, Russian news agencies reported on Saturday (Dec 16). On Saturday, a group of over 700 politicians and figures from the sporting and cultural worlds met in Moscow and gave unanimous endorsement to Vladimir Putin as an independent candidate. Putin announced earlier this month that he will seek another six-year term in March next year in Russian presidential election. Andrei Turchak, senior United Russia party official, told RIA news agency that Putin has complete support of the party despite the serving president's status as an independent candidate. Also read | The Longest-Ruling World Leaders Right Now As the largest party in Russia, it holds 325 of the 450 seats in the State Duma as of 2022, having constituted the majority in the chamber since 2007. Putin has led Russia as either president or prime minister since 1999. The 71-year-old swapped presidential job with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in 2008, following which he changed the rules that limited consecutive presidential mandates. He has been president since 2012 and can potentially remain so until 2036. Also watch | Russian president Vladimir Putin's re-election pitch As prime minister, Putin in 2011 forged a political coalition called All-Russia People's Front (in Russian: ONF) to provide the United Russia political party with "new ideas, new suggestions and new faces". The ONF aims to forge formal alliances between United Russia (the ruling party from 2001 onwards) and numerous Russian non-governmental organisations. Putin's next presidential run: Aren't there any other candidates? Several other candidates, including representatives of the Communist and Liberal Democratic parties that have given the semblance of opposition to Putin during his previous campaigns. The Liberal-leaning Boris Nadezhdin is also one of the few Russian politicians who have announced their intention to run. Nadezhdin has called the war in Ukraine Putin's "fatal mistake". Also read | Explained | Putin, presidency and elections — a race of convenience for indisputable rule On the federal level, Russia elects a president as head of state and a parliament, one of the two chambers of the Federal Assembly. Since 2008, the president can hold four consecutive six-year terms. (With inputs from agencies)

'Independent' Putin is seeking Russian presidency again. Here's what it means

The voting for Russian presidential elections, which is scheduled to be held in March 2024, is set to be conducted also in the four Ukrainian regions that Russia claims to have annexed last year, Moscow said in a statement on Monday (Dec 11).

The Central Elections Commission said that the voting in March would be given a go-ahead in Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, the Ukrainian regions where Russia still doesn't have complete military control.

"The decision was adopted unanimously," commission vice-president Nikolay Bulayev said, according to the state-run news agency TASS.

The elections are set to be conducted over three days from March 15 to 17.

Earlier, Ukraine had urged the international community to "resolutely condemn Russia's intention to hold presidential elections in the occupied Ukrainian territories".

Kyiv had also called on the West to sanction individuals responsible.

Russia had previously also conducted elections in occupied regions of Ukraine. The polling was condemned by Kyiv and the West and was dubbed as null and void.

In the month of September, Moscow had also held ballots for local officials in the four Ukrainian regions.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-two-injured-after-russian-strike-on-kyiv-biden-to-host-zelensky-at-white-house-amid-deadlock-on-aid-668361">At least 4 injured after airstrike on Kyiv; Biden to host Zelensky at W. House</a>

A year earlier, it had held a "referendum" to annex the territories.&nbsp;

Both the votes were denounced by Kyiv and the West.

<h2>Putin to run again in presidential polls</h2>

Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to take part in the upcoming presidential vote, giving him a chance to extend his decades-long grip on power.&nbsp;

As per state-run news agencies, Putin told Lieutenant Colonel Artyom Zhoga, a Russian military officer, about this decision following an awards ceremony for army personnel at the Kremlin.&nbsp;

This came after Russian lawmakers on Thursday moved Putin a step closer to a fifth term in office by setting the date of the country's 2024 presidential election for March 17, which was voted unanimously by the members of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly.&nbsp;

Valentina Matviyenko, the head of the chamber, had said "With this decision, we are effectively launching the start of the election campaign."&nbsp;

She said, "By choosing a head of state together, we fully share the common responsibility and common destiny of our fatherland."&nbsp;

Even though five major parties have been allowed to submit a candidate for the vote, Putin is likely to win the elections as most of his critics, who could challenge him, are either in jail or in exile.

(With inputs from agencies)

The voting for Russian presidential elections, which is scheduled to be held in March 2024, is set to be conducted also in the four Ukrainian regions that Russia claims to have annexed last year, Moscow said in a statement on Monday (Dec 11).

The voting for Russian presidential elections, which is scheduled to be held in March 2024, is set to be conducted also in the four Ukrainian regions that Russia claims to have annexed last year, Moscow said in a statement on Monday (Dec 11). The Central Elections Commission said that the voting in March would be given a go-ahead in Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, the Ukrainian regions where Russia still doesn't have complete military control. "The decision was adopted unanimously," commission vice-president Nikolay Bulayev said, according to the state-run news agency TASS. The elections are set to be conducted over three days from March 15 to 17. Earlier, Ukraine had urged the international community to "resolutely condemn Russia's intention to hold presidential elections in the occupied Ukrainian territories". Kyiv had also called on the West to sanction individuals responsible. Russia had previously also conducted elections in occupied regions of Ukraine. The polling was condemned by Kyiv and the West and was dubbed as null and void. In the month of September, Moscow had also held ballots for local officials in the four Ukrainian regions. Also read: At least 4 injured after airstrike on Kyiv; Biden to host Zelensky at W. House A year earlier, it had held a "referendum" to annex the territories. Both the votes were denounced by Kyiv and the West. Putin to run again in presidential polls Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to take part in the upcoming presidential vote, giving him a chance to extend his decades-long grip on power. As per state-run news agencies, Putin told Lieutenant Colonel Artyom Zhoga, a Russian military officer, about this decision following an awards ceremony for army personnel at the Kremlin. This came after Russian lawmakers on Thursday moved Putin a step closer to a fifth term in office by setting the date of the country's 2024 presidential election for March 17, which was voted unanimously by the members of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly. Valentina Matviyenko, the head of the chamber, had said "With this decision, we are effectively launching the start of the election campaign." She said, "By choosing a head of state together, we fully share the common responsibility and common destiny of our fatherland." Even though five major parties have been allowed to submit a candidate for the vote, Putin is likely to win the elections as most of his critics, who could challenge him, are either in jail or in exile. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia to hold presidential vote in four occupied Ukrainian regions

President Vladimir Putin on Saturday promised &quot;victories&quot; for Russia at a star-studded rally attended by tens of thousands of supporters ahead of a March 18 election he is all but certain to win.

Olympic athletes, celebrities and cosmonauts had taken to the stage to voice their support for Putin, who has ruled Russia for almost two decades and is seeking to extend his Kremlin term to 2024.

&quot;We want our country to be bright and looking to the future, for our children and grandchildren...we will do everything we can for them to be happy,&quot; he told the cheering crowd at Moscow&#39;s Luzhniki stadium.

&quot;Nobody else will do this for us. And if we do this, the coming decade and the whole 21st century will be marked by our bright victories,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

&quot;Together we are a team. Are we a team?&quot; he asked the crowd, which replied, &quot;Yes!&quot;.&nbsp;

Organisers said around 100,000 people were expected to turn out. An AFP journalist said the stadium was completely full for Putin&#39;s speech, which was to be followed by a concert by big-name Russian popstars.

Supporters held signs saying &quot;I am for Putin&quot;, &quot;Putin is our president&quot; and &quot;I&#39;m voting for the future&quot;.&nbsp;

&quot;I do not see another candidate who could be our commander in chief. He&#39;s the only one. Putin is our president,&quot; Oscar-winning director Nikita Mikhalkov said from the stage.&nbsp;

&quot;Only with him can our country achieve cosmic successes,&quot; said cosmonaut Sergei Ryazansky.&nbsp;

The event is the first rally in an otherwise lacklustre campaign for Putin, who has yet to produce a programme and has declined to take part in televised debates with seven other candidates.

None of the other contenders, including former socialite Ksenia Sobchak and millionaire communist Pavel Grudinin, has more than eight percent support, according to official polls.

On Thursday Putin used a state of the nation address to set the course for a new arms race with WMoscowngton, boasting of a new generation of &quot;invincible&quot; Russian weapons developed in response to recent actions by the United States.

He also outlined Russia&#39;s priorities for the six years that would be his next term, focusing on reducing poverty and tackling environmental problems.

Despite campaign promises when Putin returned to the Kremlin in 2012 after four years as prime minister, his last term was marked by a fall in living standards and Russia&#39;s international isolation.

Boosted by a slavish media and foreign military adventures such as the annexation of Crimea in 2014, his approval rating remains sky-high and official polls suggest he will take almost 70 percent of the vote.

Olympic athletes, celebrities, and cosmonauts had taken to the stage to voice their support for Putin

President Vladimir Putin on Saturday promised "victories" for Russia at a star-studded rally attended by tens of thousands of supporters ahead of a March 18 election he is all but certain to win. Olympic athletes, celebrities and cosmonauts had taken to the stage to voice their support for Putin, who has ruled Russia for almost two decades and is seeking to extend his Kremlin term to 2024. "We want our country to be bright and looking to the future, for our children and grandchildren...we will do everything we can for them to be happy," he told the cheering crowd at Moscow's Luzhniki stadium. "Nobody else will do this for us. And if we do this, the coming decade and the whole 21st century will be marked by our bright victories," he said. "Together we are a team. Are we a team?" he asked the crowd, which replied, "Yes!". Organisers said around 100,000 people were expected to turn out. An AFP journalist said the stadium was completely full for Putin's speech, which was to be followed by a concert by big-name Russian popstars. Supporters held signs saying "I am for Putin", "Putin is our president" and "I'm voting for the future". "I do not see another candidate who could be our commander in chief. He's the only one. Putin is our president," Oscar-winning director Nikita Mikhalkov said from the stage. "Only with him can our country achieve cosmic successes," said cosmonaut Sergei Ryazansky. The event is the first rally in an otherwise lacklustre campaign for Putin, who has yet to produce a programme and has declined to take part in televised debates with seven other candidates. None of the other contenders, including former socialite Ksenia Sobchak and millionaire communist Pavel Grudinin, has more than eight percent support, according to official polls. On Thursday Putin used a state of the nation address to set the course for a new arms race with WMoscowngton, boasting of a new generation of "invincible" Russian weapons developed in response to recent actions by the United States. He also outlined Russia's priorities for the six years that would be his next term, focusing on reducing poverty and tackling environmental problems. Despite campaign promises when Putin returned to the Kremlin in 2012 after four years as prime minister, his last term was marked by a fall in living standards and Russia's international isolation. Boosted by a slavish media and foreign military adventures such as the annexation of Crimea in 2014, his approval rating remains sky-high and official polls suggest he will take almost 70 percent of the vote.

Putin promises 'victories' for Russia at star-studded rally

Opposition leader Alexei Navalny announced on Wednesday a series of rallies across Russia in January to press home his call for a boycott of next year&#39;s presidential election, a move likely to draw a sharp response from the Kremlin and police.

Navalny unveiled his plan hours after President Vladimir Putin, who polls suggest is a shoo-in for re-election, registered his candidacy at the central election commission ahead of the March 18 vote.

The commission ruled on Monday that Navalny was not eligible to run against Putin due to a suspended prison sentence.

A furious Navalny, who says the sentence was part of a fabricated case designed to thwart his political ambitions, responded by calling for an election boycott. That prompted the Kremlin to demand an investigation to determine whether his statement broke the law.

On Wednesday, Navalny upped the ante, saying he and his supporters would organise nationwide rallies on Jan. 28 in 85 towns and cities, including Moscow and St Petersburg, to support his call for an election boycott.

&quot;We refuse to call the reappointment of Putin an election,&quot; Navalny said in a statement on his website.

&quot;We are not going to vote and will convince everyone around us not to vote. We are going to campaign (for a boycott) with all our might.&quot;

Turnout

A boycott could pose a problem for the Kremlin which is keen to ensure a high turnout in the election to help confer legitimacy on Putin&#39;s expected victory amid some signs of apathy among voters.

Under Russian law, the time and place of rallies must be agreed with the authorities who have often declined to authorise them in the past, citing conflicting events or security concerns. When the opposition has gone ahead anyway, the police have broken up rallies by force and detained attendees.

Polls show that Putin, who has led Russia for 18 years as either president or prime minister, is on course to comfortably win another six-year term, allowing him to rule until 2024, when he&#39;ll turn 72.

The former KGB officer is running as an independent, a move seen as a way of strengthening his image as a &quot;father of the nation&quot; rather than as a party political figure.

The ruling United Russia party, which he once led and which controls three quarters of seats in the lower house of parliament, has said it will support him, as will Just Russia, a pro-government centre-left group.

Allies laud Putin for restoring national pride and expanding Moscow&#39;s global clout with interventions in Syria and Ukraine.

But Navalny says Putin has been in power too long and that his support is artificially maintained by a biased state media and an unfair system which excludes genuine opponents.

Navalny has made a name for himself by successfully leveraging social media and conducting high profile corruption investigations into senior officials. He has also organised some of the biggest anti-government protests in years.

Opinion polls, whose accuracy Navalny dismisses, put his support in single digits while giving Putin an approval rating of around 80 percent.

Opposition leader Alexei Navalny announced on Wednesday a series of rallies across Russia in January to press home his call for a boycott of next year's presidential election, a move likely to draw a sharp response from the Kremlin and police.

Opposition leader Alexei Navalny announced on Wednesday a series of rallies across Russia in January to press home his call for a boycott of next year's presidential election, a move likely to draw a sharp response from the Kremlin and police. Navalny unveiled his plan hours after President Vladimir Putin, who polls suggest is a shoo-in for re-election, registered his candidacy at the central election commission ahead of the March 18 vote. The commission ruled on Monday that Navalny was not eligible to run against Putin due to a suspended prison sentence. A furious Navalny, who says the sentence was part of a fabricated case designed to thwart his political ambitions, responded by calling for an election boycott. That prompted the Kremlin to demand an investigation to determine whether his statement broke the law. On Wednesday, Navalny upped the ante, saying he and his supporters would organise nationwide rallies on Jan. 28 in 85 towns and cities, including Moscow and St Petersburg, to support his call for an election boycott. "We refuse to call the reappointment of Putin an election," Navalny said in a statement on his website. "We are not going to vote and will convince everyone around us not to vote. We are going to campaign (for a boycott) with all our might." Turnout A boycott could pose a problem for the Kremlin which is keen to ensure a high turnout in the election to help confer legitimacy on Putin's expected victory amid some signs of apathy among voters. Under Russian law, the time and place of rallies must be agreed with the authorities who have often declined to authorise them in the past, citing conflicting events or security concerns. When the opposition has gone ahead anyway, the police have broken up rallies by force and detained attendees. Polls show that Putin, who has led Russia for 18 years as either president or prime minister, is on course to comfortably win another six-year term, allowing him to rule until 2024, when he'll turn 72. The former KGB officer is running as an independent, a move seen as a way of strengthening his image as a "father of the nation" rather than as a party political figure. The ruling United Russia party, which he once led and which controls three quarters of seats in the lower house of parliament, has said it will support him, as will Just Russia, a pro-government centre-left group. Allies laud Putin for restoring national pride and expanding Moscow's global clout with interventions in Syria and Ukraine. But Navalny says Putin has been in power too long and that his support is artificially maintained by a biased state media and an unfair system which excludes genuine opponents. Navalny has made a name for himself by successfully leveraging social media and conducting high profile corruption investigations into senior officials. He has also organised some of the biggest anti-government protests in years. Opinion polls, whose accuracy Navalny dismisses, put his support in single digits while giving Putin an approval rating of around 80 percent.

After polls suggest Putin shoo-in for re-election, Oppn leader calls election boycott rallies

A Russian court sentenced <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/russias-massive-anti-graft-protest-leader-detained-for-15-days-13860" target="_blank">opposition leader Alexei Navalny to his third jail term this year on Monday</a>, disrupting plans by the long-time Kremlin critic to campaign before Russia&#39;s coming election.

Russia holds a presidential election in March next year. The incumbent Vladimir Putin has yet to announce his candidacy but is widely expected to do so and to win.

Navalny hopes to run, even though Russia&#39;s central election commission declared him ineligible because of a suspended prison sentence, which he says was politically motivated.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/russia-opposition-leader-navalny-jailed-1500-arrested-after-wave-of-protests-16759" target="_blank">He was detained by police on Friday</a> as he left his Moscow home to attend a pre-election rally in a provincial town and later charged with repeatedly violating laws governing the organisation of public meetings and rallies.

A court sentenced him to 20 days in jail on Monday, a term which means he will miss a campaign rally planned in Putin&#39;s hometown of St Petersburg on October 7 - the Russian leader&#39;s birthday.

&quot;Old man Putin is so scared of our meetings in the regions that he decided to make himself happy with a small gift for his jubilee,&quot; Navalny said on Twitter after his sentencing.

Navalny has been jailed twice already this year after organising rallies and protests against government corruption.

Russian opposition activists say they are coming under increased pressure as the election approaches, with authorities frequently turning a blind eye to violent attacks.

Navalny has been jailed twice already this year after organising rallies and protests against government corruption

A Russian court sentenced opposition leader Alexei Navalny to his third jail term this year on Monday, disrupting plans by the long-time Kremlin critic to campaign before Russia's coming election. Russia holds a presidential election in March next year. The incumbent Vladimir Putin has yet to announce his candidacy but is widely expected to do so and to win. Navalny hopes to run, even though Russia's central election commission declared him ineligible because of a suspended prison sentence, which he says was politically motivated. He was detained by police on Friday as he left his Moscow home to attend a pre-election rally in a provincial town and later charged with repeatedly violating laws governing the organisation of public meetings and rallies. A court sentenced him to 20 days in jail on Monday, a term which means he will miss a campaign rally planned in Putin's hometown of St Petersburg on October 7 - the Russian leader's birthday. "Old man Putin is so scared of our meetings in the regions that he decided to make himself happy with a small gift for his jubilee," Navalny said on Twitter after his sentencing. Navalny has been jailed twice already this year after organising rallies and protests against government corruption. Russian opposition activists say they are coming under increased pressure as the election approaches, with authorities frequently turning a blind eye to violent attacks.

Russia: Putin critic Navalny jailed for 20 days

Reports that Russia&#39;s economy ministry is set to take control of the national statistics agency has sparked fears that indicators crucial to monitoring the country&#39;s economic woes could become skewed.

Data from the Rosstat state statistics agency has been key in measuring the extent of the country&#39;s economic crisis, triggered three years ago by tumbling oil prices and Western sanctions over Ukraine, and is thus key to forecasts about when recovery is possible.

With Russians worried about their shrinking purchasing power and a presidential election due next year, perceptions about the economy and its outlook are touchy topics.

Enter into this volatile mix a switch by Rosstat to new calculation methods that are in line with European standards, which has caused rampant confusion inside the agency that has resulted in it publishing reports late and issuing major corrections to its findings.&nbsp;

Widespread issues over the adoption of the new methodology have prompted the government to prepare to make Rosstat -- which currently reports to Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev -- answerable to the economy ministry in a bid to exercise more control over it, Russian media has reported.&nbsp;

The prime minister&#39;s current oversight is mostly administrative, while the economy ministry is responsible for producing forecasts for the government based on Rosstat data.

Rosy picture

Analysts fear that as the presidential polls approach Rosstat could come under pressure to produce statistics that would paint a rosy picture of the economy, much as in the Soviet era when authorities used statistics for propaganda purposes, boasting about exceeding production plans.&nbsp;

&quot;This is a pre-election year and if the main socio-economic indicators are bad, this would look like a lack of respect for the promises&quot; President Vladimir Putin made during his 2012 campaign, said Igor Nikolayev, an analyst at FBK Grant Thornton, an auditing and consulting group.

&quot;If growth reaches two per cent, then we will say that the sanctions bothered us but all the indicators are now positive,&quot; he added.&nbsp;

Some of Rosstat&#39;s new calculations have proved encouraging for authorities.&nbsp;

The agency revised upwards its production indicator and calculated that the economy had contracted by only 2.8 per cent in 2015 -- instead of the 3.7 per cent it had previously estimated.&nbsp;

It also said that the economy contracted by only 0.2 per cent last year, instead of the 0.6 per cent it had previously measured.

These changes in Russia&#39;s indicators have transformed the storyline of the country&#39;s economic crisis.&nbsp;

With the new figures, Russia&#39;s government can proudly proclaim that the economy has shown unexpected resistance to the double shock of low oil prices and sanctions thanks to a boost to industry from the weak ruble and dynamic small businesses.&nbsp;

Skewed figures?&nbsp;

Last month a low indicator for industrial production that was published behind schedule by Rosstat sent a jolt through the economy ministry.&nbsp;

Economy Minister Maxim Oreshkin, who took on the position in November, said Rosstat&#39;s transition to its new methodology had been &quot;very unfortunate&quot; and that he expected its figures to undergo &quot;major revisions&quot; while his ministry prepares to announce its forecasts.

In a 2013 report, the OECD group of leading economies praised Rosstat&#39;s &quot;high level of professionalism&quot; while saying the agency should improve its methodology for calculating gross domestic product (GDP) and its compliance with international standards.&nbsp;

Former deputy economy minister Alexei Vedev told TASS news agency that Rosstat&#39;s rocky transition to its new methods was the result of resistance by the agency&#39;s ageing staff and the inability to offer attractive wages to young economists.&nbsp;

Changing the supervision of the agency will not solve the problem, Vedev said.&nbsp;

&quot;Our responsibilities will not change with our status,&quot; the head of Rosstat, Alexander Surinov, told Vedomosti business daily, stressing that Russian legislation guarantees the agency&#39;s &quot;professional independence&quot;.

Analysts, however, are sceptical that Rosstat will be able to steer clear of government influence.&nbsp;

&quot;The statistics agency must be as independent as possible,&quot; Nikolayev of FBK Grant Thornton said.&nbsp;

&quot;I have no doubt that a change in leadership will affect Rosstat&#39;s activities, and this will affect the reliability of statistics.&quot;

(AFP)

With Russians worried about their shrinking purchasing power and a presidential election due next year, perceptions about the economy are touchy topics

Reports that Russia's economy ministry is set to take control of the national statistics agency has sparked fears that indicators crucial to monitoring the country's economic woes could become skewed. Data from the Rosstat state statistics agency has been key in measuring the extent of the country's economic crisis, triggered three years ago by tumbling oil prices and Western sanctions over Ukraine, and is thus key to forecasts about when recovery is possible. With Russians worried about their shrinking purchasing power and a presidential election due next year, perceptions about the economy and its outlook are touchy topics. Enter into this volatile mix a switch by Rosstat to new calculation methods that are in line with European standards, which has caused rampant confusion inside the agency that has resulted in it publishing reports late and issuing major corrections to its findings. Widespread issues over the adoption of the new methodology have prompted the government to prepare to make Rosstat -- which currently reports to Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev -- answerable to the economy ministry in a bid to exercise more control over it, Russian media has reported. The prime minister's current oversight is mostly administrative, while the economy ministry is responsible for producing forecasts for the government based on Rosstat data. Rosy picture Analysts fear that as the presidential polls approach Rosstat could come under pressure to produce statistics that would paint a rosy picture of the economy, much as in the Soviet era when authorities used statistics for propaganda purposes, boasting about exceeding production plans. "This is a pre-election year and if the main socio-economic indicators are bad, this would look like a lack of respect for the promises" President Vladimir Putin made during his 2012 campaign, said Igor Nikolayev, an analyst at FBK Grant Thornton, an auditing and consulting group. "If growth reaches two per cent, then we will say that the sanctions bothered us but all the indicators are now positive," he added. Some of Rosstat's new calculations have proved encouraging for authorities. The agency revised upwards its production indicator and calculated that the economy had contracted by only 2.8 per cent in 2015 -- instead of the 3.7 per cent it had previously estimated. It also said that the economy contracted by only 0.2 per cent last year, instead of the 0.6 per cent it had previously measured. These changes in Russia's indicators have transformed the storyline of the country's economic crisis. With the new figures, Russia's government can proudly proclaim that the economy has shown unexpected resistance to the double shock of low oil prices and sanctions thanks to a boost to industry from the weak ruble and dynamic small businesses. Skewed figures? Last month a low indicator for industrial production that was published behind schedule by Rosstat sent a jolt through the economy ministry. Economy Minister Maxim Oreshkin, who took on the position in November, said Rosstat's transition to its new methodology had been "very unfortunate" and that he expected its figures to undergo "major revisions" while his ministry prepares to announce its forecasts. In a 2013 report, the OECD group of leading economies praised Rosstat's "high level of professionalism" while saying the agency should improve its methodology for calculating gross domestic product (GDP) and its compliance with international standards. Former deputy economy minister Alexei Vedev told TASS news agency that Rosstat's rocky transition to its new methods was the result of resistance by the agency's ageing staff and the inability to offer attractive wages to young economists. Changing the supervision of the agency will not solve the problem, Vedev said. "Our responsibilities will not change with our status," the head of Rosstat, Alexander Surinov, told Vedomosti business daily, stressing that Russian legislation guarantees the agency's "professional independence". Analysts, however, are sceptical that Rosstat will be able to steer clear of government influence. "The statistics agency must be as independent as possible," Nikolayev of FBK Grant Thornton said. "I have no doubt that a change in leadership will affect Rosstat's activities, and this will affect the reliability of statistics." (AFP)

Power struggle rages over Russia's state statistics