President Vladimir Putin stormed to a crushing reelection victory in a vote that lacked drama but confirmed Russians' desire for post-Soviet stability that they see embodied in the former KGB spy. Putin immediately vowed to defend democratic principles and a free media in his second term while leading a foreign policy based on compromise rather than "imperialist ambitions." "I promise that the democratic accomplishments of our people will be unconditionally defended and guaranteed," Putin said in televised remarks early Monday from his campaign headquarters near the Kremlin. Putin was leading with about 70 percent of the vote with more than half of the ballots counted -- a massive jump on the 52.5 percent he won in 2000 after succeeding the tumultuous era of his ailing mentor Boris Yeltsin. This time around Putin obliterated the opposition even while refusing to campaign or debate with his five candidates. The Communist Party challenger Nikolai Kharitonov trailed in a distant second place with just under 15 percent. Putin won despite having made just two direct addresses to voters during the month-long official campaign -- a 30-minute speech on the first day of campaigning and a call for Russians to perform their civic duty two days before the poll. **Fire near Red Square in Moscow*** A serious fire erupted Sunday night in a 19th-century landmark building off Red Square, just minutes after polls closed in Russia's presidential election. Now used as an exhibition center, the colonnaded building known as the Manezh was once an equestrian training hall. Built in 1825, it is close to the Kremlin and houses frequent exhibitions and trade fairs. Within an hour after the fire broke out, about half the 48,000-square-foot structure was in flames and part of the roof had collapsed, news reports said. Flames shot high into the nighttime sky and thick, gray smoke billowed over the Kremlin towers. Moscow emergency officials said they had no information on what caused the fire, which apparently started on the intricately designed roof. They said the blaze was ranked five, the most serious category. **PHOTO CAPTION*** Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks to the press after casting his vote for the Russian Presidential election, outside a polling station in Moscow. (AFP/Mladen Antonov)