Russia's ruling party claimed victory in regional elections yesterday in a show of strength for Prime Minister Vladimir Putin 18 months before a presidential poll that could return him to the Kremlin.
The opposition called the vote "dirty" and said fraud had played a part in the outcome.
Partial results indicated that Putin's United Russia party would retain control of at least five of six regional parliaments by a wide margin and win thousands of municipal polls.
Putin party claims win
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.