Russians are voting in an election that holds little suspense after Putin crushed dissent

By DASHA LITVINOVA and JIM HEINTZ
Associated Press

Russia has begun three days of voting in a presidential election that is all but certain to extend President Vladimir Putin’s rule for six more years after he stifled dissent. The vote takes place against the backdrop of a ruthless crackdown that has crippled independent media and prominent rights groups and given Putin full control of the political system. At least half a dozen cases of vandalism at polling stations were reported, including a firebombing and several people pouring green liquid into ballot boxes. The vote takes place through Sunday at polls across Russia, in illegally annexed regions of Ukraine and online. It comes as Moscow’s war in Ukraine is in its third year.