Russia election: Putin hails illegal annexation of Crimea after claiming election win - BBC News

Russia's president addresses thousands in Moscow after official figures suggest he won 87% of the vote.

10 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, ReutersBy Vicky WongBBC NewsRussia's President Vladimir Putin has hailed the "return" of Crimea to Russia at a concert marking the 10th anniversary of the illegal annexation of the territory from Ukraine.

He said Crimea had "returned to its home harbour" and that it would move forwards with Russia "hand in hand".

Mr Putin was addressing thousands in Moscow's Red Square a day after claiming a landslide election win.

The vote has been condemned by Western governments as a sham.

UK Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron said the elections, in which serious opposition candidates were not allowed to stand, "starkly underline the depth of repression under President Putin's regime".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68601131

---