Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev is headed for a landslide victory in the Russian presidential election.

Outgoing President Vladimir Putin, who had backed Mr Medvedev, appeared with him at a rock concert to congratulate him on his success.

Russians were electing a successor to Mr Putin, who had served eight years.

Mr Putin, hugely popular because of Russia's economic boom, was barred by the constitution from seeking a third term.

Mr Medvedev has promised to make Mr Putin his prime minister.

Mr Medvedev had three challengers including veteran Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov.

Nationalist Liberal Democrat candidate Vladimir Zhirinovsky was running for president for a third time under the slogan: "Don't lie, do not be afraid".

Andrei Bogdanov (centre) is the leader of the little-known Democratic Party. He promised to bring Russia into the European Union if elected president.

Russian soldiers turned out to vote in Moscow. Civil servants were ordered by their managers to vote and there were reports that police and teachers were under similar pressure.

More than 109 million Russians are registered to vote and turnout was reported to be high. There were reports of irregularities at polling stations in some areas.