Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced – earlier than expected – that he will run for the 2024 presidential election, the TASS news agency reported a while ago.

The agency reported that Putin made the announcement inside the Kremlin after awarding the country’s highest military decoration — the Gold Star of the Hero of Russia — to soldiers who fought in Ukraine.

Earlier today, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced that “many people” are pushing President Putin to run for a new six-year term in March, adding that the Russian president will announce his decision “when he deems it appropriate.”

At the same time, the Russian Central Election Commission announced today that the elections will be held for the first time over three days: from March 15 to 17.

A surprise announcement

“Many people” are pushing President Vladimir Putin to run for a new six-year term in March, the Kremlin said earlier today, adding that the Russian president would announce his decision “when he deems it appropriate”.

Putin, who will give his annual press conference and take questions from the public on December 14is widely expected to be a candidate again.

Six sources told Reuters last month that the 71-year-old president has decided to run, a move that will keep him in power until at least 2030.

With opposition politician Alexei Navalny in prison and other critics abroad following a systematic campaign of repression, Putin he has no serious political opponent in his country.

Asked today about the result of a poll by a state-backed polling firm in which 70 percent of respondents said they wanted Putin to run again, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov replied: “Putin will announce (his decision) when he deems it expedient and appropriate. It will be solely his decision. Putin has always relied on popular support for his work. Its main concern is to improve the living conditions and well-being of our citizens.”

Peskov added that Russians from across the country and from different age groups have reached out ahead of Putin’s speech and audience question time next week to express their support. “Too many people are calling for Putin to run and continue to lead the country, declaring their full support. This is remarkable,” concluded Peskov.