Vladimir Putin regained Russian presidency after winning the elections with 63.7 percent. In Moscow Putin scored 47.06 percent, according to preliminary results.

Vladimir Putin regained Russian presidency after winning the elections with 63.7 percent. In Moscow Putin scored 47.06 percent, according to preliminary results.

Billionaire tycoon Mikhail Prokhorov scored 20.36 percent in Moscow, beating Communist veteran Gennady Zyuganov, who came second nationwide.

In his native city of Saint Petersburg, Putin won 58.78 percent of the vote, while Prokhorov came second with 15.52 percent.

In the southeastern Siberian region of Tyva, Putin won precisely 90.0 percent of the vote in early results.

In Mordovia, a central region known mainly for its prison colonies, Putin scored 87.06 percent.

Before a massive group of supporters, the Russian president delivered a speech in which he thanked the voters for backing him.

Speaking with teary eyes, Putin assured: “We have won in an open and fair struggle”.

“This was more than just a presidential election. This was a very important test for us – a test for the political maturity of our people and independence. We have demonstrated that nobody can impose anything on us. We have shown that our people are capable of telling the difference between the desire for novelty and progress, and political provocations that press for only one goal: to destroy Russia. Today our people have proven that such scenarios are not going to work in our country,” RT quoted Putin as saying before the crowds.

"We will work honestly and intensely, and we will achieve success. We encourage you all to unite for the benefit of our or nation and our homeland,” he added.