Russians headed to the polls on Sunday to determine Russias next president, even though the results are already about 99.9 percent certain. Incumbent Vladimir Putin will unquestionably win a fourth term in office.

Its no secret that Putin enjoys significant popular support across Russia. His approval rating has held at around 80 percent for the last four years, ever since Russia annexed Crimea, according to the Levada Center, the countrys only independent polling outlet.

Yet a vibrant opposition movement continues to unmask the governments head-spinning corruption and gather tens of thousands in protest nationwide, which could ostensibly indicate that Putins days are numbered.

It isnt so simple. Putin has developed an intricate set of techniques designed to placate his people, offering up what may look like democracy only to systematically chip away at it simultaneously. He wont seize power by force, in other words, but hell make sure he does what he needs to do to win re-election.

He does have his work cut out for him, though. The cornerstone of this years strategy has relied upon physically getting people to the polls, making his victory look a little less like a foregone conclusion, while keeping the opposition on a tight leash.