Some pictures live from a Polling Station in moscow. Now, there is the potential for a run off vote if no candidate wins more than 50 in the first round. But with many of mr putins opponents unable to run, it seems inevitable that Vladimir Putin will be re elected without the need for that second ballot. Our russia editor, steve rosenberg, is following developments in moscow. Vladimir putin has been in power a long time, right, 25 years almost as president or Prime Minister. And hes expected to win a fifth president ial term. Now, this whole event, this three day event, which starts today, is being presented by the russian authorities almost as a celebration of democracy. The kremlin just a few days ago described russian democracy as the best democracy in the world. Critics of the kremlin would disagree and would say that this poll is neither free nor fair nor transparent. Vladimir putin does not face a major challenge. There are three other candidates on the ballot paper, but his most
If no candidate wins more than 50 in the first round. But with many of mr putins opponents unable to run, it seems inevitable that Vladimir Putin will be re elected without the need for that second ballot. Our russia editor, steve rosenberg, is following developments in moscow. Vladimir putin has been in power a long time, right, 25 years almost as president or Prime Minister. And hes expected to win a fifth president ial term. Now, this whole event, this three day event, which starts today, is being presented by the russian authorities almost as a celebration of democracy. The kremlin just a few days ago described russian democracy as the best democracy in the world. Critics of the kremlin would disagree and would say that this poll is neither free nor fair nor transparent. Vladimir putin does not face a major challenge. There are three other candidates on the ballot paper, but his most vocal critics, his fiercest opponents, are either in exile or in prison, which kind of helps you to
Pictures are from vladivostock. And lets bring you some pictures live from a Polling Station in moscow. Now, there is the potential for a run off vote if no candidate wins more than 50 in the first round. But, with many of mr putins opponents unable to run, it seems inevitable that Vladimir Putin will be re elected, without the need for that second ballot. Our russia editor, Steve Rosenberg has more on the issues surrounding this election. These days, when Vladimir Ovchinnikov paints russia, the result is very dark. From a mountain of skulls and a dictators ambition. To this russias war in ukraine likened to stalins terror. The 86 year old artist had taken his anti war message onto the streets of borovsk, graffiti ing, stop the war. All these paintings were scrubbed out and vladimir fined twice for discrediting the russian army. But he continues to speak out against the invasion of ukraine. Translation i believe that this is a crime against the territorial i integrity of a neighbouring
In the last few minutes, we have been told that the search has been called off by the french authorities. Simonjones reports from dover. The sea has claimed several more lives. The french lifeboat had the grim task of bringing five bodies back to shore, a sixth person airlifted to hospital didnt survive. Some of those rescued were taken to dover after lifeboats from the uk joined the search operation. Many of the survivors had been in the sea, screaming for help. Others had been trying to bail out their sinking boat using their shoes. Translation they were in trouble. Some were suffering from seasickness and the boats are quite simply overloaded. They overload the boats and so the boats can no longer move forwards. The last boat was too full. These pictures taken earlier in the week showed just how many people can be crammed into flimsy boats in the worlds busiest shipping lane. The french Authorities Say they will only intervene at sea if a boat gets into difficulty. The mp for dover
Joined the search operation. Many of the survivors had been in the sea, screaming for help. Others had been trying to bail out their sinking boat using their shoes. Translation they were in trouble. Some were suffering from seasickness and the boats are quite simply overloaded. They overload the boats and so the boats can no longer move forwards. The last boat was too full. These pictures taken earlier in the week showed just how many people can be crammed into flimsy boats in the worlds busiest shipping lane. The french Authorities Say they will only intervene at sea if a boat gets into difficulty. The mp for dover is calling for a new approach. This is an absolute tragedy today in the channel, and my thoughts and prayers are with all those affected. What we now really need to see is the french stopping these unseaworthy and overcrowded vessels getting into the channel in the first place, and a joint channel security zone. Charities supporting refugees say they have heard calls for ch