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Russians motivated by Navalny death protest as presidential voting starts despite Putin re-election assured

By
Social Links for Isabel Keane
Published March 17, 2024
Updated March 17, 2024, 10:29 a.m. ET

Thousands of Russians gathered in protest outside polling stations Sunday in a symbolic move spurred by supporters of late dissident Alexei Navalny opposing President Vladimir Putin’s assured re-election.

The country’s three days of presidential voting began Friday in a tightly controlled environment, one believed by many to be fixed to ensure the dictatorial Putin’s victory.

Associates of Navaly — who died unexpectedly in a remote Russian prison last month — encouraged supporters protesting Putin’s actions, including his war on Ukraine, to show up at polling stations at noon, part of an effort backed by the late opposition leader before his death.

President Putin meets with foreign students studying in Russia who took part in the 2024 World Youth Festival.
President Putin meets with foreign students studying in Russia who took part in the 2024 World Youth Festival. POOL/AFP via Getty Images
People queue outside a polling station in St. Petersburg, Russia, with a World War II memorial plaque on the wall. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)
Voters queue at a polling station in St. Petersburg, Russia. AP

Navalny’s team later described their “Noon Against Putin” protest a success, sharing photos and videos of people crowding around polling stations in cities across Russia. 

“We showed ourselves, all of Russia and the whole world that Putin is not Russia, that Putin has seized power in Russia,” said Ruslan Shaveddinov of Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation. “Our victory is that we, the people, defeated fear, we defeated solitude — many people saw they were not alone.”

Putin, who rose to power in 1999, faces three token rivals from Kremlin-friendly parties who have not criticized him or his 24-year rule. His upcoming six-year term would make the 71-year-old ruler Russia’s longest-serving leader, taking over the title from Josef Stalin. 

Group of Russian citizens protesting in front of Russian Federation's Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva, Switzerland.
Group of Russian citizens protesting in front of Russian Federation’s Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva, Switzerland. AP
A man casts his ballot in Russia's presidential election in Yekaterinburg in the Urals on March 17, 2024.
A man casts his ballot in Russia’s presidential election in Yekaterinburg in the Urals on March 17, 2024. AFP via Getty Images

The election comes two years after Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which he has referred to as a “special military operation.” 

Ukraine continues to attack oil refineries in Russia and shell Russian regions, all while trying to invade Russian borders with proxy forces — much to Putin’s ire during the ongoing election. 

Voting is taking place at polling stations across Russia’s 11 time zones, including in illegally annexed regions of Ukraine, and online. More than 60% of voters had cast ballots by Sunday morning. 

People hold sheets reading "enough" as they protest in downtown Tbilisi, Georgia for Russia Election.
People hold sheets reading “enough” as they protest in downtown Tbilisi, Georgia for Russia Election. AP

There was no independent tally of how many voters took part in the “Noon Against Putin” demonstration, though exiled Navalny aide Leonid Volkov estimated hundreds of thousands of people showed up at polling stations in Moscow, St. Petersberg, Yekaterinburg and other cities. 

Despite tight controls, several dozen cases of vandalism were reported at polling stations. 

But plenty of people came out in support of Putin, too. 

“I am happy with everything and want everything to continue as it is now,” Dmitry Sergienko told The Associated Press in Moscow after casting his ballot for Putin. 

Russian pro-democracy activist Peter Nikitin holds a Russian flag with the message "Putin is not Russia" outside a polling station in Belgrade on Russia's presidential election day.
Russian pro-democracy activist Peter Nikitin holds a Russian flag with the message “Putin is not Russia” outside a polling station in Belgrade on Russia’s presidential election day. AFP via Getty Images
A Russian citizen residing in India casts his ballot during Russia's presidential election at a polling station set up at the Russian Centre of Science and Culture in Chennai on March 17, 2024.
A Russian citizen residing in India casts his ballot during Russia’s presidential election at a polling station set up at the Russian Centre of Science and Culture in Chennai on March 17, 2024. AFP via Getty Images

Olga Dymova, who also voted for Putin, noted, “I am sure that our country will only move forward toward success.” 

Other voters, seemingly less enthused about six more years under Putin’s control, said it appears doubtful anything will improve in the country. 

“Unfortunately, it’s unlikely,” said a Moscow voter who identified himself only by his first name, Vadim. 

With Post wires