If what happened in Russian politics yesterday occurred in virtually any other nation, it would make blockbuster news. But the sweeping victory of Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party in parliamentary elections on Sunday surprised no one and confirmed the obvious: Putin has near absolute control over Russia.

The Economist reports (emphasis ours throughout):

It was never in doubt that Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party would get a sweeping victory in the parliamentary elections on Sunday December 2nd. The entire government machine, the court system, the prosecution service, the police, the state media and even the central commission itself were deployed to produce a landslide victory.Nothing was left to chance to ensure a high turnout. In Moscow your correspondent spotted several “tourist” buses stuffed with people from far-flung regions. They voted early and often. The buses were guarded by men in black leather coats and ski hats who, every few minutes, would let a small group out of the vehicle to cast their ballots. They would move to the next polling station and repeat the exercise. The “leader” of the group said the men were workers from a nearby factory. But, despite strict instruction to keep silent, some admitted that they were free laborers and came from as far away as the Kemerovo region, some 3,500 km from Moscow. “We have been going around polling stations since lunch time,” grumbled one man, “and they have not paid us yet.”Plain-clothed police and security service officers ensured orderly voting and kept undesirables, including some observers and journalists, away from the polling stations. Yet opposition parties managed to video at least one incident of ballot boxes being stuffed. Elsewhere blackmail and bribery helped get more people out to vote. The result was a turnout of 63 percent and a resounding win for United Russia.

What does yesterday’s victory for Putin mean for the future of Russia?

He has set the stage for the presidential poll next March when he is due to step down as president. … This victory gives him a mandate to remain the most influential figure in Russia, while handpicking an obedient successor.

There’s an important element to this story we should pay close attention to. The more bellicose and dangerous Russia grows, which it will undoubtedly continue to do under Putin, the more we must watch Europe. Europe’s reaction to Russian ambition is more important than the growing power of Russia itself.

The Trumpet has reported on this angle of the story for years. For more information, read “Russia Frightens Europe—and Fulfills Bible Prophecy.”