Protesters lined up at polling stations across Russia's 11 time zones at noon local time on March 17, in a display of resistance against incumbent President Vladimir Putin, who is expected to secure another six-year term in office. The protests, aptly named 'Noon Against Putin,' aimed to challenge the authoritarian leader and demonstrate that he does not enjoy the overwhelming support claimed by state propaganda.

The three-day election, which featured no opposition to Putin, took place under tight security measures to suppress any major protests. Despite these restrictions, Russians heeded the opposition's call to safely demonstrate their opposition to Putin by showing up at midday. Videos and images posted on social media showcased long lines of voters forming at polling stations in cities such as Novosibirsk, Chita, Yekaterinburg, Perm, and Moscow, among others.

The 'Noon Against Putin' campaign proved its effectiveness, according to Ivan Zhdanov, the head of the Anti-Corruption Foundation formerly led by Putin's political rival, Alexei Navalny. The protests emphasized the presence of an alternative Russia, comprised of individuals who stand against Putin's leadership.

However, the protests were met with a heavy police presence and threats of long prison terms for those who disrupted the voting process. Reports indicated that more than 65 people were detained in 14 cities across the country. Some incidents included attempts to stuff a photograph of Navalny into a ballot box or wearing a T-shirt with Navalny's name to a polling station, which led to detentions.

The 'Noon Against Putin' movement extended beyond Russia's borders, with Russian citizens reportedly participating in Tokyo, Istanbul, and Phuket. There were even reports of an apparent fire-bombing at the Russian Consulate in Chisinau, Moldova, causing a delay in the voting process.

Amid tight security and limited opposition presence, Putin is expected to secure his fifth presidential term, which would put him on the path to surpassing the nearly 30-year reign of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin. Observers predicted a large margin of victory for Putin, potentially fueled by his handling of the conflict with Ukraine, as Ukraine allegedly stepped up attacks on Russia leading up to the election.

The protests, marked by the use of green antiseptic dye known as "zelyonka" and other liquids to vandalize ballot boxes, spotlighted the frustrations of some Russians over Putin's authoritarian rule. Incidents of vandalism were reported in at least nine cities, with criminal probes initiated by Russian police.

As the election comes to a close, Putin's extended tenure in power raises concerns about the shrinking space for dissent and the suppression of independent media. With Navalny's death and the absence of significant opposition candidates, the outcome of the election appears to solidify Putin's hold on power for another six years, placing him as the longest-serving Russian leader since Catherine the Great.

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