Outcome was never in doubt. Vladimir putin is expected to win the vote that will keep his grip on power through 2030 he has already russias longestserving ruler since soviet dictator joseph stalin. Weve got full coverage for you. Cnns may chances in moscow. Fred pleitgen is in berlin and also with this cnn contributor and former Moscow Bureau chief, jill dougherty, matthew, lets begin with you. Despite the lack of opposition, there were acts of defiance, werent there today there have been quite a few actually, but louk, the preliminary results are just coming in and that theyre very high, which is expected. Were looking at something in the region of 88 votes for Vladimir Putin. Thats with about 25 of the votes counted. And a turnout of well over 70 . So these are extraordinary high results, even by the standards of an election of Vladimir Putin. But youre right, its not been a totally unified and stable election period that has been a lot of defiance, acts of defiance at Polling Statio
Shaking, thunderous noise, booming would seem to be right in our backyard. It lasted for about two minutes. Youre going to Add Lava Deir is joining us now from macedonia ready at wolf if you can imagine this a debris field that is massive, four investigators to have to comb through one of the things that i find the most haunting about my memories of that day is that there were seven inspiring astronauts that were out there somewhere. I just find that so chilling to think about. It was probably the sato store i have are covered was so unexpected. But when residents found and astronauts helmet, and a crew members mission patch, that nightmare of what had happened became clear. You were sent out there for a beauty shop or a beauty shot of the shuttle going over that the last thing it was the beauty was shattered by tragedy. Add lavandera, cnn, dallas and be sure to tune and the brand new original series Space Shuttle columbia, the final flight premieres tonight at 9 00 p. M. Eastern in pa