LEAD:
Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed he would run for re-election in March 2018. Putin has been in power, either as president or prime minister, since 2000. He is expected to win comfortably and extend his grip on power into a third decade. Julia Lyubova has more.
IN: Vladimir Putin's announcement...
OUT: SOC
DUR: 41'
GENERIC: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1206putin-jl-generic.mp3