Opponents call for protests as Russian presidential election votes are counted, government strengthens caution. Final day of voting for Russia's presidential election begins on the 17th, and will close at dawn on the 18th Japan time, with vote counting beginning.
Russia is also carrying out what it calls an election in Crimea, southern Ukraine, which it unilaterally annexed 10 years ago. In Ukraine, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has so far issued a statement asking Ukrainian citizens not to participate in activities that it claims are elections.