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Russia has been hit by a cyberattack amid the country’s sham election as Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of seeking to sabotage the polls, the Kremlin claimed.
United Russia said it was facing a widespread denial of service attack – a form of cyberattack that snarls internet use – against its online presence, and it had suspended non-essential services to repel the interruption.
It comes as Ukrainian drones struck two Russian oil refineries belonging to state-owned oil giant Rosneft in the Samara region.
The Syzran refinery was on fire but an attack on the Novokubyshev refinery was thwarted, the governor of Russia’s Samara region, Dmitry Azarov said. Workers at both plants were evacuated with no casualties reported, he added.
Meanwhile, in Russia, at least half a dozen cases of vandalism at polling stations were reported, including a firebombing, as citizens voted in a three-day presidential election that will extend Vladimir Putin’s rule by six more years after he stifled dissent.
The election takes place against the backdrop of a crackdown that has crippled independent media and prominent rights groups and given Putin full control of the political system.
Putin shown ‘voting’ in sham Russian election in new video released by Kremlin
Putin shown ‘voting’ in sham Russian election in new video released by Kremlin
Vladimir Putin is shown appearing to vote online in the Russian election, in a new video released by the Kremlin. The video, released on Friday (15 March), shows Putin voting on the first of three presidential election days in Russia. Russian authorities have been promoting online voting since the beginning of the pandemic, but critics have panned it as an attempt to obscure real voting data. The sham election is widely expected to confirm Putin’s fifth term of presidency, set to last for at least another six years. The footage has not been verifed by The Independent.
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Candidates vetted by Kremlin, expert says
All candidates on the ballot for Russia’s sham election are vetted by the Kremlin and don’t expect to win against Vladimir Putin, an expert said.
Professor Samuel Greene, of King’s College London, said candidates are only allowed to campaign within red lines set by Putin – meaning any real opposition is nonexistent.
He told The Independent: “All parties that are able to function in Russia are coordinated by the presidential administration. Candidate lists are vetted by the Kremlin; fundraising is both limited and enabled by the Kremlin.
“The opposition candidates are being careful not to be any more aggressive than Putin is in his campaigning. They don’t really expect to win.”
Russia’s Central Electoral Commission (CEC) head Ella Pamfilova speaks at the opening of the CEC Information Centre in the run-up for the presidential election in Moscow
(AFP via Getty Images)
Alexander Butler16 March 2024 08:09
Russia elections: Everything you need to know about sham presidential polls that will hand Putin fifth term
Alexander Butler16 March 2024 08:00
Russia’s ruling party says it is hit by cyberattack during sham election
Russia has been hit by a cyberattack amid the country’s sham election as Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of seeking to sabotage the polls, the Kremlin claimed.
United Russia said it was facing a widespread denial of service attack – a form of cyberattack that snarls internet use – against its online presence, and it had suspended non-essential services to repel the interruption.
Alexander Butler16 March 2024 07:41
Ukraine missile strike’ kills two in Russia, governor alleges
At least two people were killed and three sustained injuries in a Ukrainian missile strike on the Russian border city of Belgorod, the regional governor said on Saturday.
The alleged attack comes amid the ongoing three-day sham presidential elections that Vladimir Putin is expected to win.
Mr Putin on Friday accused Ukraine of trying to sabotage the polls.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar16 March 2024 07:36
Yes, the Russian election is rigged – but there could still be surprises for Putin
With the results of the vote already known in advance, it may be tempting to cast a blind eye to the proceedings, writes Mary Dejevsky
With the results of the vote already known in advance, it may be tempting to cast a blind eye to the proceedings, writes Mary Dejevsky
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar16 March 2024 07:30
