Hundreds of Russian celebrities, sports personalities and politicians gathered in Moscow to formally nominate President Vladimir Putin for re-election in March next year.
Some high-profile supporters pledged to back Putin.
Putin is running as an independent, a move seen as a way of strengthening his image as a “father of the nation” rather than a political figure.
Polls show that Putin who has dominated Russia’s political landscape for the last 17 years, is on track to being re-elected for another six years until 2024, when he turns 72.
Allies laud Putin for restoring national pride and expanding Moscow’s global clout with interventions in Syria and Ukraine.
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