In Russia, amidst conflict with Ukraine, stands a solitary candidate and clear winner: Vladimir Putin. The ongoing elections, starting Friday, are testament to this, as profound backing for the Russian president and the war with Ukraine becomes evident. Voting will take place from March 15 to 17.
As reported by Reuters, in southern Moscow, Ludmila Petrova, 46, shopping, asserts, 'I support Putin and will undoubtedly vote for him.' She adds, 'Putin has bolstered Russia and we will conquer Western nations and Ukraine. They will never defeat us.' She questions, 'Have Western countries gone completely mad? What business is Ukraine of yours?'
Putin's Popularity Skyrockets
While Western nations view Putin as a 'dictator', 'war criminal', and 'murderer', surveys and senior Russian sources claim that Putin's popularity in Russia has soared post-conflict, solidifying his grip on power.
Unrivaled Putin
A Kremlin insider reveals, 'Putin faces no competition. He has risen too far. The constant criticism and sanctions from Western nations have united Putin's inner circle and citizenry.' Another senior Russian source informed Reuters that concerns about Putin’s tenure as leader were due to health rather than politics, but now he appears to be in better health, with no successor in sight.
Ratings Boosted After War Declaration
Putin declared war on Ukraine in February 2022. Russian pollster Levada Center indicates that Putin's approval rating is currently at 86%, up from 71% pre-war. His ratings also increased after conflicts with Georgia in 2008 and the annexation of Crimea in 2014. Russian TV and social media portray Putin as a 'strong patriot', contrasting Western leaders as 'weak'.
'Employees, Vote and Submit Ballot Photo'
Despite some Kremlin elites questioning the war, an attempted coup by Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin last year failed, illustrating the high risks of opposing the Kremlin. State media plays a critical role in influencing public sentiment during elections, with the defeat of all three competing candidates certain, as none of them have an approval rating over 6%. The Kremlin's principal concern is voter turnout, with government company managers reportedly directing employees to vote and submit photos of their ballots.
Western Sanctions Prove Ineffective
Although the conflict with Ukraine has resulted in thousands of casualties, Western sanctions have yet to sink Russia’s economy, which saw a 3.6% growth last year. Nevertheless, the country grapples with acute shortages of labor and investment, and declining population. An anonymous Russian source comments, 'The war may not necessarily be harmful for the economy in the short term. Putin can fight as long as he wishes.'
