Russian president and current candidate Vladimir Putin stated clearly that Russia does not employ the death penalty, yet he underscored a harsher fate for those who betray the homeland. His comments were shared during an extended interview with journalists and aired on the state television channel Russia 24. He noted that while the ultimate penalty is not part of the legal framework, the treatment of traitors would mirror the stance taken toward active combatants, a distinction he framed as a matter of national security and public order.
Putin further explained that the state would issue explicit directives to all law enforcement agencies to ensure these provisions are applied consistently. The president’s emphasis on uniform treatment for treasonous acts reflects his broader goal of maintaining ideological and constitutional cohesion during critical periods of national decision making. The remarks were delivered in the context of ongoing discussions about safeguarding the integrity of state institutions and the readiness of security forces to respond to threats to state security.
During the same broadcast, Putin expressed appreciation for the volunteers who support the presidential headquarters. Their work, he said, helps sustain the apparatus that coordinates election processes, public outreach, and community support networks across the country. The tone of the message balanced acknowledgement of civic engagement with a sober reminder of the responsibilities that come with political leadership in turbulent times.
Meanwhile, observers noted the ongoing vote counting among Russians taking part in the presidential election. Early tallies indicated Putin leading with a substantial margin, having processed roughly half of the protocol results and securing a dominant share of the votes. The vote count progression suggested strong support in key regions and a broad base of backing across many demographic segments, reinforcing the current president’s position as the frontrunner in the race.
In second place appeared Nikolai Kharitonov, representing the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, followed closely by Vladislav Davankov of New People in third and Leonid Slutsky from the Liberal Democratic Party in fourth. The distribution of votes among these candidates reflected a multi-party landscape where each contender represents distinct policy emphases and voter priorities. Analysts observed that the relative performance of these participants would influence the shape of political discourse in the months ahead and potentially affect legislative dynamics as well as future electoral strategies.
Earlier, at the Central Election Commission, officials discussed measures to strengthen ballot box security in response to reported damage to some devices. The dialogue around safeguarding the integrity of the voting process highlighted the emphasis placed on transparency, reliability, and public trust. Observers stressed that maintaining robust election safeguards is essential for upholding confidence in the results and ensuring that every ballot is properly accounted for in accordance with the law and established procedures.