Russian election officials have officially confirmed Vladimir Putin has won a fifth term as president. 

He reportedly gained 88% of votes, according to exit polls, keeping him in power for a further six years. 

Communist candidate Nikolai Kharitonov finished second with just under 4%. 

If he completes his term, Mr Putin, who came to power in 1999, could overtake Josef Stalin and become Russia's longest-serving leader for more than 200 years. 

Mr Putin told supporters in a victory speech in Moscow that he would prioritise resolving tasks associated with what he called Russia's "special military operation" in Ukraine. 

The United States, Germany, the United Kingdom and other nations have said the vote was neither free nor fair due to the imprisonment of political opponents and censorship. 

Mr Putin’s main opposition leader Alexei Navalny died suddenly in February in an Arctic prison. 

Mr Putin has claimed he was informed of an idea to release Mr Navalny before his death, which he agreed to on the condition he does not return to Russia. 

“You can believe me or not, but the person spoke to me... I said I agree,” he told press yesterday. “Unfortunately, what happened happened.” 

He described the death of Mr Navalny as “sad”. 

“But unfortunately, we had some other cases where people died in prison,” he said. “Did you not have these events in American prisons?” 

Putin 'sick for power'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Mr Putin is “sick for power” when reacting to his victory. 

“he's doing everything he can to rule forever,” he said. “There is no evil he will not commit to prolong his personal power.” 

At least 74 people were arrested on Sunday across Russia in connection with Noon against Putin demonstrations. 

Protests were also held outside Russia, where citizens were voting at embassies. 

Mr Navalny’s widow Yulia Navalnaya, who has become the face of the opposition after her husband's sudden death, was among protestors in Berlin.