London | President Vladimir Putin is poised to clinch a new term to pursue his war in Ukraine and confrontation with the West, as Russians cast their ballots in an election marked by Ukraine drone attacks on Sunday that tried to sabotage the poll.

Already Russia’s longest-serving leader since Soviet dictator Josef Stalin, 71-year-old Mr Putin is set to extend his nearly quarter-century rule by another six years. The Kremlin is determined to deliver a high result and turnout in the presidential poll in a bid to cast his victory as proof the country is united behind the war in Ukraine.

Reuters