Will Vladimir Putin ever release his grip on Russia?

It may be more than a week until Russians actually cast their votes, but President Vladimir Putin's campaign already feels like a victory lap.

With approval ratings consistently above 80%, no serious opponent and tight control over the media, Putin's win on March 18 is seen as a foregone conclusion.
The Russian President only briefly attended a massive campaign rally in his name last week, where he promised Russian "victories" for decades to come, as high-profile celebrities and athletes gave him their glowing endorsements.