News - Middle East: Russians have begun voting in a three-day presidential election amid an ongoing conflict and a barrage of deadly attacks on border regions.

A country spread across 11 different time zones, the booths were first open to voters at 8:00 am on Friday (2000 GMT Thursday) on the Far Eastern Kamchatka peninsula. 
Polling stations will conclude their activities on Sunday at 8:00 pm (1800 GMT) in Russia's Kaliningrad exclave, which is situated between the European Union members Poland and Lithuania.
For the first time in a presidential election, Russians have the option to vote online. Authorities report that over 200,000 Moscow residents cast their votes digitally shortly after the opening of the polls.
Russian President Vladimir Putin appealed to the Russian people to stand by him during a trying period for the country, delivering a pre-election message that was broadcast on state TV on Thursday.
"I am convinced: you realize what a difficult period our country is going through, what complex challenges we are facing in almost all areas," Putin said.
"And in order to continue to respond to them with dignity and successfully overcome difficulties, we need to continue to be united and self-confident.
"We have already shown that we can be together, defending the freedom, sovereignty and security of Russia ... Today it is critically important not to stray from this path," he added.