Deadly Ukrainian strikes rock Russia as vote cements Putin's grip

Moscow (AFP) - Ukrainian bombardments killed two people and set an oil facility ablaze in Russia on Saturday, the second day of showpiece elections guaranteed to cement President Vladimir Putin's hardline rule.  Presidential polls opened this week but voting has been marred by a surge in fatal Ukrainian aerial attacks and a series of incursions into Russian territory by pro-Ukrainian sabotage groups. Fresh bombardments Saturday prompted authorities to close schools and shopping centres in the Belgorod region bordering Ukraine. Putin, who cast his vote online, has vowed a harsh response to the ...