The Russian presidential campaign has officially started, Sputnik News reports.
The Russian upper house, the Federation Council, officially set March 18, 2018 as the day for the presidential vote on Friday.
The Russian Central Election Commission (CEC) will approve the plan of the upcoming election campaign on Monday. According to CEC Chair Ella Pamfilova, a total of 23 candidates have announced their intentions to run for president, including the current President Vladimir Putin.