Against the backdrop of the upcoming elections in Russia, it is necessary to mention the current international situation and the internal political atmosphere. Russia, as an important military and political pole in the world, will undoubtedly have a far-reaching impact on international relations due to its domestic political trends. Here, we will dissect the military background of Russia** and its possible impact on the future strategic direction. One of Russia's biggest challenges to date is its conflict with Ukraine, a crisis that began in the spring of 2014 that has strained relations between the two countries and led to a sharp decline in relations with the West. Western countries have imposed a series of economic sanctions on Russia, which have seriously affected Russia's economic development and international image. Against this background, Russia's military deployment and strategic layout have been greatly challenged. From a military point of view, Russia has long been committed to building up its military power. The outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine has allowed Russia to accelerate the development and deployment of its modern systems, while seeking a greater voice in the international strategic balance.
In 2020, Russia adopted a new strategy that reaffirms its quest for global power status and influence in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region. At the same time, support for Putin** within Russia appears to remain rock-solid, despite the strain that economic sanctions and international isolation have put on the lives of ordinary people. Putin's emphasis on military power reflects his strategy for responding to domestic and foreign challenges. The 2021 constitutional reform, which allowed Putin to remain in power beyond 2024, further strengthened his power. Looking at the opponent's camp, the space for the opposition is particularly narrow under such a power structure. However, the emergence of Catherine Duntsova symbolizes that there are still forces in society seeking change. Although her chances of winning are slim, her candidacy itself is a challenge to the status quo. In the face of 2024, Russia is gradually heating up. Ekaterina Duntsova expressed her opinion on the current situation, arguing that Russia should end the conflict in Ukraine and carry out profound reforms of the political system.
These views of hers are clearly in conflict with Russia's current policy, so extreme caution must be exercised in expressing these positions in order not to violate the law that involves ***. The 40-year-old former local television reporter is divorced and has three children. Her political experience may not be as rich as that of other candidates, but her appearance has undoubtedly brought a breath of fresh air to Russia's political ecology. Despite the enormous challenges, including gathering enough signatures in a politically concentrated country to qualify, Duntsova appears undeterred by these obstacles. In an interview, Duntsova insisted that any armed conflict has a life cycle, and she expects the conflict in Ukraine to end as soon as possible. She understands that Russians are tired of this ongoing conflict and hope for peace. But she also does not elaborate on what "peace" is, a vague expression that may be motivated by political caution or because peace depends on the coordination of many complex factors. Nervously smiling at questions about what Putin thinks of herself, Duntsova eschewed a direct assessment of Putin and instead stressed that Russia should not be the object of collective guilt. She tried to break the Western world's notion that Russia is equated with Putin, saying that it was not the decision of the entire Russian people. In refuting the notion that Russian liberals are considered Western intelligence agencies, Duntsova firmly stated that she was not a CIA. She believes that both hardliners in Western countries and conservatives within Russia are willing to see Russia further cut off from the world. Tuntsova expressed concern about this isolationism, which she felt as if Russia was ready to isolate itself from the outside world, and that this isolation was very bad for Russia's future. As the election date approaches, Russia's political scene is becoming more complex. Putin's re-election seems a foregone conclusion, at least in the eyes of the public. Putin's approval ratings are high, and he is seen as a leader who can lead Russia through "the most dangerous times in decades." Against this backdrop, Duntsova and other potential opposition candidates face enormous challenges. Despite the complex power games and strategic confrontations on the Russian political scene, Duntsova's emergence symbolizes the possibility of change, however remote. Her courage and determination, as well as her call for an end to the conflict in Ukraine and reform of the political system, are a challenge to the status quo. Undoubtedly, Russia's future depends on the balance of its domestic and foreign policies, as well as how relations with the world community are established and maintained. Regardless of the outcome of the election, Russia's military and political strategy will continue to shape the global security landscape. As history has proven, the realization of peace and stability requires not only wisdom and strategy, but also openness and dialogue. Therefore, political forces, both at the centre of power and on the periphery, should work towards this common goal. At such a critical juncture, Russia's elections not only mean a change of leadership, but also an important point in determining its future direction.