"Nadezhdin Gathers Sufficient Signatures to Challenge Putin for Presidency"

Boris Nadezhdin, an anti-war candidate, has submitted 105,000 signatures to challenge incumbent Vladimir Putin in Russia's March election. Despite not being expected to win, Nadezhdin's outspoken criticism of Russia's military operation in Ukraine has surprised analysts and is seen as a problem for Putin. Election officials will now check the signatures, and there is speculation that Nadezhdin may be barred from running. Nadezhdin's campaign is seen as a voice for a "silent majority" of Russians who want the war to end, potentially posing a challenge to Putin's control in the election.