Vladimir Putin has won a fifth term as president in a landslide election victory, which had an all but certain outcome. Russia’s number one faced no credible opposition candidates, amid a ruthless crackdown on dissent and critical voices. Russian election officials said Putin – who will now serve another six-year term on top of his nearly quarter-century rule – won more than 87% of the vote. Putin claimed Russia’s democratic system was more transparent than many in the West, scorning US democracy. The first day of voting was marred by sporadic protests and acts of vandalism, including arson at…