Russian President Vladimir Putin secured approximately 87 percent of the votes in the presidential elections on Sunday, according to preliminary results.

The outcome was announced on state television after a survey conducted by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VTsIOM).

According to the Russian Central Election Commission, Putin gathered 87.47 percent of the votes after counting in 36.3 percent of polling stations, marking a record percentage compared to his previous 64-68 percent in the 2018 elections.

"Russia has made its choice," said the head of the election commission, Ella Pamfilova, declared, citing a record turnout of 74.22 percent.

Authorities emphasized the necessity for the Russian people to stand "united" behind their leader, portraying the “special military operation” by Russia in Ukraine as orchestrated by the West to dismantle the country.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in response to the preliminary results, stated that Putin is "obsessed with power" and wants to "rule indefinitely."

Poland deemed the presidential elections "illegal, unfree, and unfair."

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron expressed regret over the lack of "free and fair" elections in Russia.

Leonid Volkov, former assistant in exile to the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, said on his “X” account, "The percentage figures attributed to Putin are surely disconnected from reality."

Former Russian President and the current Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev, praised Putin's "remarkable victory."

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