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.
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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
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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
Catholic activist in Belarus jailed in crackdown on dissent
Jane Dalton16 March 2024 07:05
Two Russian oil refineries struck by Ukraine drones, says governor
Ukrainian drones struck two oil refineries belonging to state-owned oil giant Rosneft in Russia’s Samara region, the governor alleged.
Russia is voting through Sunday in a sham three-day presidential elections, with president Vladimir Putin on Friday accusing Ukraine of attempting to sabotage the polls he is certain to win.
The Volga River region’s Syzran refinery was on fire but an attack on the Novokubyshev refinery was thwarted, the governor of Russia’s Samara region, Dmitry Azarov said. He said workers at both plants had been evacuated and that there were no casualties.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar16 March 2024 06:49
People cast votes in Russia-controlled part of Ukraine
People cast their votes at a mobile polling station during early voting in Russia’s presidential election in Russian-controlled part of Donetsk region, Ukraine
(Anadolu via Getty Images)
People cast their votes at a mobile polling station during early voting in Russia’s presidential election in Russian-controlled part of Donetsk region, Ukraine
(Anadolu via Getty Images)
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar16 March 2024 06:30
