Russian President Vladimir Putin has secured a record fifth term after sweeping the presidential polls, which had no serious contender, making victory evident for the incumbent leader.
According to early results, the Russian president bagged 88% of the votes.
In his first reaction after the counting of polls, Putin said his victory "will allow Russia to become stronger and more effective."
Putin, a former KGB agent who first rose to power in 1999, has surpassed Josef Stalin to become Russia's longest-serving leader.