In the west to the far eastern Kuril Islands, Russians have begun casting their votes in the country's presidential election.
Local media says some 65 percent of the 109 million eligible voters are expected to cast their ballots in some 94 thousand domestic polling stations. Russians will also be able to vote at 384 overseas stations in more than 140 countries.
Video surveillance is being conducted at 91 thousand polling stations and over 1 million Internet users have registered to monitor the vote online. The Russian Interior Ministry says over 380 thousand police officers are on duty for election day.
Opinion polls show most voters are expected to support current Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. But he may be forced into a second round contest if he gets less than 50 percent of the vote in the first round. The winner will be inaugurated as president in early May.

俄罗斯总理普京2日表示，如果当选总统，他将继续推动改革，不会借机打压反对派。总统选举定于3月4日。民意调查结果显示，普京有望赢得大约60％选票。普京称，尚未决定是否角逐2018年总统选举。