Russian election: Vladimir Putin wins landslide victory extending his rule for another six years

Vladimir Putin has won a landslide re-election victory and extended his rule over the world’s largest country for another six years.

Mr Putin addressed thousands of people who rallied outside the Kremlin on Sunday to thank them for their support and promised new achievements.

Speaking to a crowd who attended a pop concert marking his election victory, Mr Putin hailed those who voted for him as a "big national team", adding that "we are bound for success".

He said that the nation needs unity to move forward and urged the audience to "think about the future of our great motherland".

He then led the enthusiastic crowd to chant "Russia!"

Results from more than half of precincts showed Putin winning over 75% of the vote, with Communist candidate Pavel Grudinin and ultra-nationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky trailing far behind with about 13 and 6%, respectively.

The vote was tainted by widespread reports of ballot-box stuffing and forced voting, but the complaints will likely do little to undermine Mr Putin.

The Russian leader's popularity remains high despite his suppression of dissent and reproach from the West over Russia's increasingly aggressive stance in world affairs and alleged interference in the 2016 US election.

Mr Putin's main challenge in the vote was to obtain a huge margin of victory in order to claim an indisputable mandate.

The Central Elections Commission said Mr Putin had won about 73% of the vote, based on a count of 30% of the country's precincts.

Russian authorities had sought to ensure a large turnout to bolster the image that Mr Putin's so-called "managed democracy" is robust and offers Russians true choices.

By 5pm Moscow time, authorities said turnout had hit nearly 52%.

Additional reporting by the Press Association.