Electing Not To Care: What Russians Were Doing When They Weren't Voting

A daydreaming storekeeper. With the reelection of Vladimir Putin virtually a foregone conclusion, Markov says this Sunday was much like any other day in Pskov. 

The biggest buzz in town was a celebration and fair marking the anniversary of the annexation of Crimea. 

A customer tries on a hat at the fair. 

A soft toy with a serious case of bear-spreading, and an early visitor to the Crimea festivities

Crunchy snow, and youngsters in costume, ready to celebrate Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea.

A basket seller in the town center. Photographer Dmitry Markov says most people he spoke to were Putin supporters. 

A woman sneaks a puff of her cigarette while watching over her souvenir stall. 

An elderly woman soaking up the sunshine

Markov headed out to the outskirts of Pskov...

... where he snapped kids goofing around near their home. 

And friends heaving a broken-down car into a parking spot. 

A group of friends settles in to discuss the election over vodka, juice, and fried breadsticks. 

These dogs were two of the most excited characters Markov says he met on election day.

Inside a city bus. Markov says the bright spring weather played a large part in election turnout in the town. 

A grandfather rocking a rocking horse. Markov told RFE/RL: "I think the bright sun affected the turnout more than any propaganda on the TV."