Putin says any election interference will be 'suppressed harshly'

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that any interference into the upcoming presidential election "will be suppressed and dealt with harshly, in accordance with the laws of Russia during the meeting with the leaders of the factions in parliament's State Duma lower house.

Putin added that "all factions are acting as a united front." Putin, Russia's leader for the past 23 years, announced earlier this month that he is running for a fifth term in March elections, which would keep him in power until 2030.