Putin announces presidential re-election bid, fifth term expected to be certain

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced his bid for re-election, which will likely see him secure a fifth term in office, but his authority could potentially run to 2036.

With a firm grip on power already, Putin is widely expected to win another six-year term in office, although a change to the country's constitution will allow him to run again in 2030, which could see his authority extend to 2036. He secured 76% of the vote in the 2018 election.  Michael Dorgan is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business.

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"I won’t hide it from you — I had various thoughts about it over time, but now, you’re right, it’s necessary to make a decision," Putin said in a video released by the Kremlin after the event.