A Generation That Has Known Only Vladimir Putin Is Now Voting

It has been two decades that Vladimir Putin has been in power, and in the presidential elections taking place on March 18, 2018 there is finally something new. 

Elections under "managed democracies" might not mean a novelty in results, but the electorate itself is changing. Those who were born and raised under Putin's rule have reached voting age. They are called the "Pu-teens", "Generation P". Regardless of how they are referred to, they have become the news item throughout the global media—also for the first time.

By the way of these reports, the international audiences catch a glimpse of this new Russian generation, discovering the "new face" of Russia. 

This photojournalism work by Davide Monteleone, featured in the Economist, profiles the youth of Russia beyond their appearances. What they read, who they listen to, what they watch. What they think about religion, history, rights, religion, and politics is also presented.

But, some obviously avoid speaking about politics, and none believe that something may actually change through politics. Or they do not express it overtly even if they do so. 

This piece from the Economist provides just one sample of the "Pu-teens" or "Generation P". Another work by the Moscow Times has been offering a diverse sample. 

Putin himself must be aware of the "birth" of this new generation, as he met a group of "young scientist and entrepreneurs"-just the "dream generation" that is offered to the Russian electorate. There are some suggestions that he—or "Kremlin in general"—is preparing ascendants to the throne. There are yet other suggestions that the youth themselves are on their way to dethrone him—or at least, express their "distress".

Independent of one's view of—or even actual interest in—Russian politics, the youth of Russia offer a perspective of the future.

Why not glimpse the lives of those who will inherit the biggest country of the world in terms land mass and probably beyond?