Russia's presidential election closes amid Kyiv sabotage claims

In the final day of Russia's presidential election, which is projected to extend President Vladimir Putin's term for another six years, Russian officials have accused Ukraine of launching air attacks in an attempt to disrupt the voting process. These allegations come as over half of Russian voters have already cast their ballots during the first two days of the three-day election period. Amidst these tensions, the opposition has orchestrated a coordinated voting effort named "Noon Against Putin," encouraging supporters to vote simultaneously at noon, allowing them to demonstrate opposition within the legal framework of the election process.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has labeled protesters as "traitors," and Russia's foreign ministry has suggested that Kyiv's alleged intensification of activities is a bid to secure further financial assistance and lethal weapons from Western supporters. A Ukrainian drone is reported to have dropped a shell on a voting station in a Russian-controlled area of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region, according to Russian sources.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, while not directly addressing these specific claims, has expressed gratitude to the Ukrainian military and intelligence services for their long-range capabilities. The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia remains the most severe in Europe since World War Two.