Russia has formalised President Vladimir Putin's victory in last week's presidential election, dismissing scathing criticism by the West and independent Russian observers that it was the most corrupt vote in post-Soviet history.

Russia's electoral chief Ella Pamfilova said final results showed Putin won 87.28 percent of the vote, as the election saw Putin's 24-year rule extended by another six years.

Pamfilova said turnout was 77.49 percent, as Kremlin encouraged Russians to vote out of patriotic duty, despite Putin's win being inevitable.

The three-day vote which took place last weekend saw Putin cruise to an easy victory for a fifth Kremlin term, unchallenged by any meaningful opposition.

The election was also held in occupied Ukraine and voting took place two years into Moscow's offensive.

Meanwhile, President Putin thanked Russians for their support in an address on Thursday after the final results were published.

Putin crushed three other hand-picked opponents, who each received tiny percentages of the vote.

None of them had openly challenged Putin, but Pamfilova said the vote was fair and competitive.

Thousands took part in the opposition's call to form long queues at midday on the final day of the vote, as the election was alleged to be marred by ballot spoiling.