Incidents of attacks and violence have marred the ongoing presidential election voting in Russia, as citizens express frustration over the lack of political choice beyond the incumbent, Vladimir Putin. German media outlet Deutsche Welle reported on these developments in a Saturday (March 16) report.

Reports indicate that voters have taken drastic measures, including pouring black ink into ballot boxes, a tactic believed to be orchestrated by supporters of former opposition figure Alexei Navalny. This retaliation comes after Putin supporters allegedly attacked Navalny supporters with black ink in 2017.

Amidst the chaos, a petrol bomb was detonated at a polling booth in St. Petersburg. Security forces swiftly apprehended a woman believed to be responsible for the attack. Additionally, another polling booth in the Sverdlovsk area was set ablaze, adding to the unrest surrounding the election process.