Vladimir Putin began his fifth term as a Russian leader today, Tuesday, with a dazzling inauguration ceremony at the Kremlin, starting another six years in office after defeating his political opponents, waging a devastating war in Ukraine, and consolidating all power in his hands.

During the ceremony held inside the gold-plated Grand Kremlin Palace, Putin placed his hand on the Russian constitution and pledged to defend it in front of a carefully chosen crowd of prominent figures.

Putin said after taking the oath of office: "We are a united and great people, together we will overcome all obstacles, achieve all our plans, and together we will win."

Since succeeding President Boris Yeltsin in the last hours of 1999, Putin has transformed Russia from a country emerging from economic collapse into a pariah state threatening global security, and in the wake of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which has become the largest conflict in Europe since World War II, Russia has faced severe sanctions from the West and is seeking support from other regimes like China, Iran, and North Korea.

Putin has been in power for nearly a quarter of a century, making him the longest-serving Kremlin leader since Joseph Stalin, and his new term will not end until 2030, when he becomes constitutionally eligible to run again.

In a meticulously staged presentation, Putin was shown in his office reviewing documents before walking along the long corridors of the Kremlin, stopping at one point to gaze at a painting on his way to the inauguration ceremony.

His honor guard waited for hours in the rain and frost, in temperatures approaching freezing, while Putin took a short ride to the Grand Kremlin Palace in his custom Aurus limousine.

In the initial moments of his fifth term, Putin seized the opportunity to thank the "heroes" of his war in Ukraine and attacked the West.

He added that Russia "does not reject dialogue with Western countries." Instead, he stated: "The choice is theirs: do they intend to continue trying to contain Russia, or continue a policy of aggression or sustained pressure on our country for years, or seek a path to cooperation and peace?”

The Russian leader was greeted with applause as he entered the hall with over 2500 attendees, as his spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated, who were invited to the ceremony. Among them were senior members of the Russian government as well as celebrities including American actor Steven Seagal.

A French diplomat confirmed that the French ambassador attended the inauguration. The diplomat spoke on the condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak publicly.

The U.S. ambassador to Russia, Lynn Tracy, did not attend, with the Russian news agency TASS reporting that she was out of the country.

The question now is what the 71-year-old Putin might do over the next six years in the Kremlin, both domestically and internationally.

Russian forces are making gains in Ukraine, employing scorched-earth tactics as Kyiv suffers from a shortage of men and ammunition. Both sides are sustaining heavy losses.

Ukraine has taken the battle to Russian territory through drone and missile attacks, particularly in border regions. In a speech in February, Putin vowed to achieve Moscow's objectives in Ukraine and do what is necessary "to defend our sovereignty and the security of our citizens."

Shortly after his coordinated re-election in March, Putin hinted at the possibility of a confrontation between NATO and Russia, announcing his desire to establish a buffer zone in Ukraine to protect his country from cross-border attacks.

Domestically, Putin's popularity is closely linked to the improvement of living standards for ordinary Russians.

On Tuesday, Putin once again promised Russians a prosperous future, but since the invasion of Ukraine, many have experienced a rise in the cost of living.

Putin began his term in 2018 with the promise of bringing Russia into the top five global economies, pledging that it would be "modern and dynamic." Instead, the Russian economy has shifted towards war, with authorities spending unprecedented amounts on defense.

Analysts now say that, with Putin having secured another six years in power, the government may take unpopular steps such as raising taxes to fund the war and pressuring more men to join the military.

With the beginning of a new term, the Russian government is routinely dissolved so that Putin can appoint a new Prime Minister and Cabinet.

One key area to watch is the Ministry of Defense.

Last year, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu faced pressure due to his management of the war, as mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin launched scathing criticism against him for the ammunition shortages faced by his private contractors fighting in Ukraine. Prigozhin's brief insurrection in June against the Ministry of Defense represented the biggest threat to Putin's rule.

After Prigozhin was killed two months later in a mysterious plane crash, it appeared that Shoigu had survived the internal power struggle. However, last month, his protégé, Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov, was arrested on bribery charges amid reports of widespread corruption.

Some analysts noted that Shoigu could become a casualty of the government reshuffle, but that would be a bold step as the war remains raging in Ukraine.

In the years following the invasion, authorities have suppressed any form of dissent with a ferocity not seen since the Soviet era.

On Tuesday, Putin indicated that he would continue to silence critics.

He urged his audience in the Grand Kremlin Palace to remember "the tragic cost of unrest and internal disturbances," stating that Russia "must be strong and absolutely resilient to any challenges and threats."

Putin enters his fifth term with almost no opposition within the country.

His biggest political rival, opposition leader Alexei Navalny, died in a penal colony in the Arctic in February. Other prominent critics have been imprisoned or fled the country, and even some of his opponents abroad fear for their safety.

Laws have been enacted threatening long prison terms for anyone who discredits the military. The Kremlin also targets independent media, human rights groups, LGBTQ2S+ community activists, and others who do not adhere to what Putin has affirmed as the "traditional family values" of Russia.