With no opposition figures allowed to run against him, the Russian president looks set to keep his grip on power until at least 2030.
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00:00 Russia goes to the polls this Friday. No one expects Vladimir Putin, running for a third
00:06 six-year term, to be defeated. With his critiques dead or exiled, the other three candidates
00:12 in the race support his policies. There is little room for change.
00:17 "It's my personal business. Of course, I support the president. Why? Because they don't change
00:24 the process at the crossing. Our processes are global and serious. They need to be completed."
00:38 Russia's leader has based his campaign on a promise to succeed in Ukraine, describing
00:43 it as a battle against the West for the very survival of Russia. Most of those interviewed
00:48 by reporters say they support Putin, while some said they want the war in Ukraine to
00:54 end.
00:55 "I hope there will be some kind of reform. I would like it very much. Because, to be honest,
01:02 it's terrible, comparing it to the Soviet times, in which I was born and studied. But
01:09 I would like to see some kind of life. I would like to go on vacation, to finish my studies."
01:16 But with just days to go, others will see the elections pass them by, as residents of
01:23 a small village in the Urals still don't know where to vote.
01:27 "I'm not going to vote. I think it's all decided, and I have a small child, and I'm not going
01:34 to leave her with anyone."
01:39 Supporters of the late opposition figure Alexei Navalny want to come to polling stations
01:44 at noon as a form of protest.
01:47 and I'll play.
01:48 (whooshing)