Putin casts his electronic vote on day one of Russian presidential elections

Russian President Vladimir Putin cast his voteon day 1 of the presidential elections. The Russian leader cast his electronic vote as he seeks another term in office, this time as an independent candidate. Footage released by the Kremlin showed Putin walking towards a computer in his office, casting his vote and then smiling and waving at the camera.

Russians began casting their ballots on Friday (March 15) across the country's 11 time zones, marking the start of an election widely expected to secure Vladimir Putin another six years as the leader of the world's largest nuclear power.

Meanwhile, aman lost his life on Thursday (March 14) when the car he was driving was directly hit by shelling. Four others sustained injuries.Belgorod's city Mayor Valentin Demidovattributed the shelling to Ukrainian forces. The attack also resulted in damage to five houses and 25 vehicles.

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Another shelling incident on the same day claimed the life of a woman who was driving her car, injuring three others, according to Demidov. He personally visited the attack sites to assess the damage and engage with residents.

Putin vows to punish Ukraine for attacks that mar Russia's presidential election

Vladimir Putin accused Ukraineof attempting to sabotage Russia's presidential election by shelling Russian territory and deploying 2,500 armed soldiers to breach its borders.

He vowed to retaliate against Kyiv for these actions, stating, "These hostile actions will not go unanswered."

Putin made these remarks during a meeting of Russia's Security Council, which comprises of military and intelligence leaders, along with influential civilian officials.

Putin said there had been four attacks on the Belgorod region and one on the Kursk region by armed Ukrainian proxies numbering about 2,500. He said they had 35 tanks and 40 armoured vehicles and that 60 per centof the soldiers were killed.

Russia beginsvoting

In the midst of the Ukraine conflict, deemed the deadliest in Europe since World War Two, the 71-year-old Russian leader remains dominant in Russia's political arena, facing no credible challenge from the three other candidates on the ballot.

The Kremlin contends that Putin, who has been in power as president or prime minister since the end of 1999, enjoys broad support for stabilising Russia after the post-Soviet era and confronting what it perceives as a hostile West.

It's worth noting that fighting and shelling in Belgorod, a border province frequently targeted by Ukraine, hasescalated in recent days, with Moscowclaiming Ukrainian forces crossed the border to attack Russian territory on Thursday.

Last year, on December 30, Belgorod witnessed the deadliest civilian casualties from foreign enemy fire recognised internationally. The missile attack had killed 25 people and wounded over 100.

(With inputs from agencies)