Russian voters overwhelmingly granted Vladimir V. Putin a six-year term as president on Sunday

05.03.2012

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin rolled to victory in Russia’s presidential election on Sunday, according to exit polls cited by state television. Vladimir Putin, set to win a third presidential term, declared his victory and thanked his voters for their support. Polling at over 64 percent with over two thirds of the votes counted, victory seems assured.

"We have won in an open and fair struggle," Putin said, addressing 110,000 people gathered on Manezhnaya Square outside the Kremlin walls.

He stressed that this victory signals a defeat for those who want to destroy Russia.