MELITOPOL, March 17. /TASS/. People in Donbass and Novorossiya begin to live anew after the reunification with Russia, as they come out of a 30-year-long oblivion, French lawyer specializing in international law, journalist Arnayd Develay, who arrived in the Zaporozhye Region to observe the elections, told TASS.

He noted that he was present during the referendum on accession of the new regions to Russia two years ago.

"We see the difference now, two years later: roads, youth centers, bus stops and hospitals. Slowly but steadily, the people approach the exit from the 30-year-long tunnel, when there were no money, no investments, nothing came from Kiev, and they begin to live anew, having glimpsed the future as a light in the end of a tunnel for themselves and their children," Develay said.

He shared his observations, saying that "a lot of money is being invested across Novorossiya, there is a constant influx of construction materials, concrete, timber."

The Russian Armed Forces liberate the territory "pushing the fascists Westward every day, ensuring the safety of the region."

"And rebuilding groups follow them immediately," the expert noted.

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. Four candidates vie for the top office, namely New People party nominee Vladislav Davankov; self-nominated candidate and incumbent President Vladimir Putin; Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) nominee Leonid Slutsky; and Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF) nominee Nikolay Kharitonov.