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Kiev uses terrorist attacks in bid to derail Russia’s presidential vote — Foreign Ministry

According to Maria Zakharova, these actions are aimed at intimidating people, not allowing them to vote in normal conditions

MOSCOW, March 13. /TASS/. Kiev is attempting to intimidate the citizens of Russia’s new regions before the Russian presidential election in order to derail the vote, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing.

"The Kiev regime still carries out its terrorist activities, including to impede the Russian presidential election. These actions are directed towards our country’s civilian population and infrastructure as well. Obviously, their active involvement is aimed at intimidating people, not allowing them to vote in normal conditions, including in our new regions," she said.

Zakharova pointed out that on March 6 in Berdyansk, Zaporozhye Region, Ukrainian Nazis blew up an automobile carrying a teacher from the city's children's art center who served as a part-time member of the local precinct election commission. "It is not just interference in the election, it is direct bloody interference in the election aimed at disrupting it. They will not achieve anything," Zakharova said.

"We must and we will record each act of such terroristic influence on people’s right to vote in the election," the spokeswoman added. "We are convinced that the residents of the new Russian regions will not succumb to the Kiev regime’s provocations," she pointed out.

The Russian Federation Council, or upper house of parliament, officially designated March 17, 2024 as the day of the presidential election. The Russian Central Election Commission (CEC) then announced that voting will take place over three days on March 15-17, making it Russia’s first three-day presidential election.