Vladimir Putin widely expected to win a fifth term at upcoming election

With no opposition figures allowed to run against him, the Russian president looks set to keep his grip on power until at least 2030.

Transcript

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)