Power Struggles: Putin ran for a fifth term in January, with major opponents jailed or exiled, reflecting growing public dissent.
Navalny's Death: Alexei Navalny, a fierce critic of Putin, died in custody in February, sparking global outrage and mourning.
Violence at Home: Following his election victory, a deadly attack by gunmen in March killed over 140, marking a security crisis for Putin.
International Alliances: In June, Putin enhanced ties with North Korea, signing a military cooperation pact against Western pressures.
Declining Influence: The year ended with notable setbacks, including a deadly bombing in Moscow and a rising Russian death toll from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.