Russia Election Preview: Russians voice mixed reactions to upcoming presidential election

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The Russian presidential election is to take place Sunday. Opinion polls suggest a landslide victory for Vladimir Putin. If they're accurate, it would mean the Russian president could be in power for the best part of a quarter of a century. CGTN correspondent Aljosa Milenkovic has been out on the streets of Moscow to find out how the people will be casting their votes.

This brisk and sunny morning brought a lot of tourists to the capital city's landmarks. Even the daily cruise on the frozen Moscow river was a popular draw. But, for the locals, the upcoming election has much more appeal than this beautiful March day.

ALJOSA MILENKOVIC MOSCOW "In less than two weeks, Russians will decide the next tenant of the historic Kremlin building behind me. But there isn't much doubt that current president Vladimir Putin will extend his stay for another six years. So what do Muscovites have to say about that?"

I went to the landmark Pyatniskaya street, to talk about the election with five random people I met there.

This is Marina Nikolaeva, from the town of Ivanovo. She says she will vote for Putin, but he will have to change certain things during his next term.

MARINA NIKOLAEVA RUSSIAN CITIZEN "Salaries and pensions have to increase. I work as a teacher, and salaries are, to say the least, not adequate. I don't work in Moscow and the salaries are not good. And in the future, the most important thing is for the economy to develop and social questions to be resolved as a result of that."

Irina is a small entrepreneur, and she is also a Putin supporter because, as she says, living today is better than before.

IRINA RUSSIAN CITIZEN "Anyone who wants to start an enterprise, a business or a family -- the conditions are right for them here in our country. We do have some "blind spots" in the country but, in the end, it all depends on one's choice. Our country is rising and I think that everything will be fine."

Aleksei still hasn't decided who he will vote for on March 18. But from the next president, he expects a return of the capital that recently fled Russia, as well as more factories opening. Regarding Putin, he likes his policy towards Crimea.

ALEKSEI RUSSIAN CITIZEN "I was born in Yalta, in Crimea, and today I can travel there without any problems. For me, it is a plus."

Ulyana seems interested in politics but has decided not to vote.

ULYANA RUSSIAN CITIZEN "There are actually no good candidates because every one of them has their own advantages and disadvantages, and I don't want to vote blindly."

In the end, I spoke with Dasha and Nikita, students of Moscow University. They don't want to say who they'll vote for, but they feel the country has changed for the better over the last six years.

NIKITA RUSSIAN CITIZEN "When we travel abroad with our parents, I have begun to miss my home. Earlier, some 6 years ago, I didn't feel like this. I feel good here now." Aljosa Milenkovic, CGTN, Moscow.