Voters in Russia participated in the second day of elections on Saturday, marking another term for President Vladimir Putin. With no serious challengers and a crackdown on political dissent, Putin's victory seemed assured. However, the election took place amidst an ongoing conflict with Ukraine that spilled over into Russian territory, as Ukrainian drone and missile attacks targeted the country.

In the border region of Belgorod, two individuals were killed due to Ukrainian shelling, according to regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov. The attack adds to the death toll in the area since the onset of the war. Additionally, a Ukrainian drone strike caused a fire at a Rosneft oil refinery in the Samara region, over 600 miles southeast of Moscow.

Despite the attacks, the Kremlin aimed for a high voter turnout to showcase support for Putin and the war. Analysts suggest that the war effort has bolstered the Russian defense ministry, driving down unemployment and increasing wages despite Western sanctions. The government has promoted the conflict as an existential battle against the West, further legitimizing Putin's leadership.

Amidst the limited opposition and suppression of critics, Russia's opposition movement called on dissatisfied citizens to use their vote as a form of protest. The strategy, endorsed by Putin's fierce critic Alexey Navalny before his death, aimed to express discontent with both Putin and the ongoing war.

Voting is taking place across Russia's 11 time zones, including annexed regions of Ukraine, and online. However, independent monitoring of the elections is highly restricted, with no significant international observers present. Only Kremlin-approved candidates or state-backed advisory bodies are allowed to assign observers to polling stations, reducing the likelihood of independent oversight.

The elections took place against a backdrop of vandalism incidents at polling stations, including firebombings and the pouring of green liquid into ballot boxes - a symbolic nod to the attack on Navalny in 2017, where a green disinfectant was thrown on him.

European Council President Charles Michel sarcastically congratulated Putin on his "landslide victory" in an election that was still technically ongoing. Michel criticized the lack of opposition, freedom, and choice in the election, highlighting the limited options for voters and the lack of independent monitoring.

Although voting proceeded in an orderly fashion according to officials, the ongoing conflict, limited opposition, and lack of international oversight raise doubts about the legitimacy of the election and the representation of the will of the Russian people.

Overall, the Russian election witnessed a controlled process that further solidified Putin's hold on power, while the incursions and attacks from Ukraine highlighted the ongoing tensions between the two nations. The lack of political competition and independent monitoring added to concerns about the democratic nature of the election.