Putin makes first comments on recent Russian election win

Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked on Wednesday "the citizens of Russia" for his recent election win in his first reaction to the tightly controlled vote. Monday's result handed Putin's United Russia party an increased supermajority of 355 of the Duma's 450 seats, giving it a free hand for constitutional changes.

Russia's Central Electoral Commission put turnout at 59.3%, which the TASS state news agency said was higher ​than in most recent elections for the State Duma ​lower house of parliament.