Russia’s top court has reportedly banned the country’s only registered anti-war political party ahead of key elections, dealing a significant blow to the organised anti-war opposition.

The court decision comes as Russia prepares for an important electoral period and amid continued scrutiny of political competition and opposition activity. The move could further reshape the country’s political landscape ahead of the upcoming vote.

 Russia's Top Court Bans Only Registered Anti-War Party Ahead of Key Elections

Russian President Vladimir Putin has secured a record sixth term after sweeping the presidential polls which had no serious contender, making victory evident for incumbent Putin. The Russian president bagged 88% of votes, according to early results. Watch to know more!

Putin wins Russian Presidential polls for record sixth-term

Russia is holding presidential elections but the fighting is unabated between Moscow and Kyiv. Russia accused Ukraine on Saturday (local time) of using "terrorist activities" to try to disrupt its presidential election and former President Dmitry Medvedev decried as "traitors" the scattered protesters who have tried to set fire to voting booths and pour dye into ballot boxes. Watch to know more!

Russia Elections 2024: Vladimir Putin tightens grip on power in Russian election

Russia is holding presidential elections but the fighting is unabated between Moscow and Kyiv. On day two of the polls two people were killed and three people were injured in Ukraine's missile attack on the Russia border city of Belgorod. The region's Governor has ordered the closure of schools and shopping malls. The city was struck by missiles fired from a vampire rocket system. Watch to know more!

Russia Elections 2024: Moscow accuses Kyiv of trying to sabotage elections | Ukraine war

A Ukrainian missile strike claimed two lives in western Russia on Saturday (March 16), while a separate drone attack ignited an oil refinery, marking the second day of an election that President Vladimir Putin has accused Kyiv of seeking to disrupt.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has overshadowed the three-day presidential election, widely expected to secure Putin another six years in the Kremlin, though scattered protests have punctuated the event.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/governor-shuts-schools-and-shopping-centers-in-belgorod-for-safety-reasons-700862">Governor of Russia’s Belgorod shuts schools and shopping centres for safety reasons</a>

Ella Pamfilova, head of the electoral commission, reported 20 incidents of ballot box tampering, eight attempted arson cases, and one smoke bomb incident.

In the Belgorod region, where cross-border attacks from Ukraine have become routine, the governor confirmed the deaths of a man and a woman. Footage from Reuters depicted fires raging and air raid sirens wailing through the deserted streets of Belgorod city.

Dmitry Azarov, governor of the Samara region, disclosed that the Syzran refinery was ablaze, while another refinery narrowly escaped an attack.

Although authorities managed to contain the fire later on, the incidents underscored Ukraine's capacity to strike deep into Russian territory, particularly targeting its energy infrastructure. Earlier in the week, two major refineries were set ablaze by drone strikes, significantly disrupting production.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/one-killed-in-ukrainian-shelling-in-russias-belgorod-region-as-russian-presidential-vote-begins-700476">14 killed in Russian missile strike on Odesha, 1 dead in Ukraine shelling in Belgorod as Russian polls start</a>

Russia's Defense Ministry reported repelling Ukrainian attempts to breach the border into the Belgorod region. In response to the heightened tensions, Governor Gladkov announced school closures for Monday and Tuesday in most of the region, along with the shutdown of shopping centers in Belgorod city on Sunday and Monday.

Friday witnessed Russia's most deadly assault in weeks, with missiles striking a residential area in Ukraine's Odesa, resulting in over 20 deaths and 70 injuries.

Putin's dominance remains unchallenged despite the presence of three other candidates on the ballot, none of whom pose a credible threat. Navalny's supporters, decrying the election as a farce, plan mass protests nationwide on Sunday.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/putins-russia-enters-election-mode-with-new-territories-from-ukraine-top-points-700217" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/putins-russia-enters-election-mode-with-new-territories-from-ukraine-top-points-700217&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiK8fiRpfaEAxV1yDgGHbw6BxMQFnoECAYQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw3KZwd27cpWZqZPHImV2vtL&amp;arm=e" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putins-russia-enters-election-mode-with-new-territories-from-ukraine-top-points-700217" target="_blank">Putin's&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;enters election mode with 'new' territories from Ukraine</a>

Pamfilova condemned disruptors as "scumbags" facing potential five-year prison sentences, attributing the unrest to Ukrainian intelligence and its foreign allies.

Amidst claims of cyberattacks, United Russia, the ruling party, suspended non-essential services to counter what it described as widespread denial-of-service attacks, blaming Ukraine and Western nations for the unprecedented level of cyber warfare traced to IP addresses in Western Europe and North America.

(With inputs from agencies)

A Ukrainian missile strike claimed two lives in western Russia on Saturday (March 16), while a separate drone attack ignited an oil refinery, marking the second day of an election that President Vladimir Putin has accused Kyiv of seeking to disrupt.

A Ukrainian missile strike claimed two lives in western Russia on Saturday (March 16), while a separate drone attack ignited an oil refinery, marking the second day of an election that President Vladimir Putin has accused Kyiv of seeking to disrupt. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has overshadowed the three-day presidential election, widely expected to secure Putin another six years in the Kremlin, though scattered protests have punctuated the event. Also read: Governor of Russia’s Belgorod shuts schools and shopping centres for safety reasons Ella Pamfilova, head of the electoral commission, reported 20 incidents of ballot box tampering, eight attempted arson cases, and one smoke bomb incident. In the Belgorod region, where cross-border attacks from Ukraine have become routine, the governor confirmed the deaths of a man and a woman. Footage from Reuters depicted fires raging and air raid sirens wailing through the deserted streets of Belgorod city. Dmitry Azarov, governor of the Samara region, disclosed that the Syzran refinery was ablaze, while another refinery narrowly escaped an attack. Although authorities managed to contain the fire later on, the incidents underscored Ukraine's capacity to strike deep into Russian territory, particularly targeting its energy infrastructure. Earlier in the week, two major refineries were set ablaze by drone strikes, significantly disrupting production. Also read: 14 killed in Russian missile strike on Odesha, 1 dead in Ukraine shelling in Belgorod as Russian polls start Russia's Defense Ministry reported repelling Ukrainian attempts to breach the border into the Belgorod region. In response to the heightened tensions, Governor Gladkov announced school closures for Monday and Tuesday in most of the region, along with the shutdown of shopping centers in Belgorod city on Sunday and Monday. Friday witnessed Russia's most deadly assault in weeks, with missiles striking a residential area in Ukraine's Odesa, resulting in over 20 deaths and 70 injuries. Putin's dominance remains unchallenged despite the presence of three other candidates on the ballot, none of whom pose a credible threat. Navalny's supporters, decrying the election as a farce, plan mass protests nationwide on Sunday. Also read: Putin's Russia enters election mode with 'new' territories from Ukraine Pamfilova condemned disruptors as "scumbags" facing potential five-year prison sentences, attributing the unrest to Ukrainian intelligence and its foreign allies. Amidst claims of cyberattacks, United Russia, the ruling party, suspended non-essential services to counter what it described as widespread denial-of-service attacks, blaming Ukraine and Western nations for the unprecedented level of cyber warfare traced to IP addresses in Western Europe and North America. (With inputs from agencies)

Missile attack hits Belgorod on second day of Russian elections

Polls opened in Russia's Far East for the first of the 3 days of voting in a presidential election set to prolong President Vladimir Putin's rule by six more years. Voting is also taking place in the Russian-controlled parts of Ukraine who are the candidates contesting against Putin and who all were barred from running all this in our next report. Watch to know more!

Russia Elections 2024: Occupied Ukrainian territories encouraged to vote in Russian election

Polls opened in Russia's Far East for the first of the 3 days of voting in a presidential election set to prolong President Vladimir Putin's rule by six more years. Voting is also taking place in the Russian-controlled parts of Ukraine, who are the candidates contesting against Putin and who all were barred from running all this in our next report. Watch to know more!

Russia Elections 2024: Russia holds election amidst escalating war with Ukraine

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu & Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov voted in the Presidential election. Russia's Defence Ministry released a video clip of both top generals casting their ballots.

Russia's top generals Shoigu and Gerasimov vote in Presidential election

With elections next month, who are Vladimir Putin's challengers and what chance to they stand against the long-time russian president?

Russia releases list of final candidates for elections | Race To Power

Jailed Russian ultranationalist for 2024 presidential race. Can he beat Putin? Russia's communist party pits Nikolai Kharitonov against Putin. Kharitonov ran against Putin in 2004 & polled barely 14% votes.

Russia presidential election heats up; Communist Party pits Nikolai Kharitonov against Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin will seek re-election as an independent candidate in 2024, Russian news agencies reported on Saturday (Dec 16).

On Saturday, a group of over 700 politicians and figures from the sporting and cultural worlds met in Moscow and gave unanimous endorsement to Vladimir Putin as an independent candidate.&nbsp;

Putin announced earlier this month that he will seek another six-year term in March next year in Russian presidential election.&nbsp;

Andrei Turchak, senior United Russia party official, told RIA news agency that Putin has complete support of the party despite the serving president's status as an independent candidate.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/trending/the-longestruling-world-leaders-putin-lukashenko-right-now-1702141879742">The Longest-Ruling World Leaders Right Now</a>

As the largest party in Russia, it holds 325 of the 450 seats in the State Duma as of 2022, having constituted the majority in the chamber since 2007.

Putin has led Russia as either president or prime minister since 1999. The 71-year-old swapped presidential job with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in 2008, following which he changed the rules that limited consecutive presidential mandates. He has been president since 2012 and can potentially remain so until 2036.&nbsp;

Also watch |&nbsp;Russian president Vladimir Putin's re-election pitch

As prime minister, Putin in 2011 forged a political coalition called All-Russia People's Front (in Russian: ONF) to provide the United Russia political party with "new ideas, new suggestions and new faces".&nbsp;

The ONF aims to forge formal alliances between United Russia (the ruling party from 2001 onwards) and numerous Russian non-governmental organisations.

<h2>Putin's next presidential run: Aren't there any other candidates?</h2>

Several other candidates, including representatives of the Communist and Liberal Democratic parties that have given the semblance of opposition to Putin during his previous campaigns.

The Liberal-leaning Boris Nadezhdin is also one of the few Russian politicians who have announced their intention to run. Nadezhdin has called the war in Ukraine Putin's "fatal mistake".

Also read&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-putin-presidency-and-elections-the-ruling-russian-trio-of-convenience-668005">Explained | Putin, presidency and elections — a race of convenience for indisputable rule</a>

On the federal level, Russia elects a president as head of state and a parliament, one of the two chambers of the Federal Assembly. Since 2008, the president can hold four consecutive six-year terms.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russian President Vladimir Putin will seek re-election as an independent candidate in 2024, Russian news agencies reported on Saturday (Dec 16). On Saturday, a group of over 700 politicians and figures from the sporting and cultural worlds met in Moscow and gave unanimous endorsement to Vladimir Putin as an independent candidate.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will seek re-election as an independent candidate in 2024, Russian news agencies reported on Saturday (Dec 16). On Saturday, a group of over 700 politicians and figures from the sporting and cultural worlds met in Moscow and gave unanimous endorsement to Vladimir Putin as an independent candidate. Putin announced earlier this month that he will seek another six-year term in March next year in Russian presidential election. Andrei Turchak, senior United Russia party official, told RIA news agency that Putin has complete support of the party despite the serving president's status as an independent candidate. Also read | The Longest-Ruling World Leaders Right Now As the largest party in Russia, it holds 325 of the 450 seats in the State Duma as of 2022, having constituted the majority in the chamber since 2007. Putin has led Russia as either president or prime minister since 1999. The 71-year-old swapped presidential job with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in 2008, following which he changed the rules that limited consecutive presidential mandates. He has been president since 2012 and can potentially remain so until 2036. Also watch | Russian president Vladimir Putin's re-election pitch As prime minister, Putin in 2011 forged a political coalition called All-Russia People's Front (in Russian: ONF) to provide the United Russia political party with "new ideas, new suggestions and new faces". The ONF aims to forge formal alliances between United Russia (the ruling party from 2001 onwards) and numerous Russian non-governmental organisations. Putin's next presidential run: Aren't there any other candidates? Several other candidates, including representatives of the Communist and Liberal Democratic parties that have given the semblance of opposition to Putin during his previous campaigns. The Liberal-leaning Boris Nadezhdin is also one of the few Russian politicians who have announced their intention to run. Nadezhdin has called the war in Ukraine Putin's "fatal mistake". Also read | Explained | Putin, presidency and elections — a race of convenience for indisputable rule On the federal level, Russia elects a president as head of state and a parliament, one of the two chambers of the Federal Assembly. Since 2008, the president can hold four consecutive six-year terms. (With inputs from agencies)

'Independent' Putin is seeking Russian presidency again. Here's what it means

Elections in Russia are always tricky for the Kremlin. Offer too much choice, and citizens may pick the wrong candidates. Offer too little, and the underlying authoritarianism of the regime becomes grimly apparent.

This year, for the parliamentary elections that began on Friday and end on Sunday, President Vladimir Putin is not taking any chances. From the moment Aleksei Navalny, the opposition leader and the Kremlin’s best-known critic, returned to the country in January, the president has overseen a wave of repression.

Scores of independent media outlets have been labeled foreign agents, hobbling their activities, and opposition figures have either been banned from political activity or intimidated into exile. Mr. Navalny is in jail, most of his closest associates have left the country and his organization has been disbanded. The opposition is in tatters.

There has been no sustained outcry within the country against these moves. Mr. Putin’s approval ratings remain solid, and the election is likely to return a majority for his party, United Russia. The system grinds on.

At the heart of the Kremlin’s continued social and political control sits the Russian media. A sprawling network of television stations and newspapers, often lurid in style and spurious in content, the Kremlin’s propaganda system is a central pillar of Mr. Putin’s power. Against all the dissent and discontent with his regime, inside and outside the country, it acts as an impermeable shield. Combined with repression, it is how he wins.

Nearly all of Russia’s television stations and newspapers are under state control. Some, like REN TV, are owned by private companies with links to the Kremlin. Others, like Rossiya and Channel One, are state-owned and often deliver outright propaganda as the news.

Behind the scenes, Mr. Putin’s accomplices — like Alexei Gromov, who as deputy chief of staff in the presidential administration oversees the media — carefully manage the message. Failures are downplayed, criticism avoided and, at every turn, praise heaped on the president, who is cast as a sensible and wise leader.

This machine doesn’t need coercion. An army of reporters, editors and producers, happy to toe any political line in return for promotion and payment, churns out an endless stream of fawning accounts of Mr. Putin, the prime minister and influential regional governors. Conformists and careerists, these journalists are not blind to the realities of contemporary Russia. But they choose to work on the side of the winners.

Funded to the tune of billions of dollars by those close to Mr. Putin, the media preys on the population’s worst fears. The threats of economic disaster and territorial disintegration, in a country that suffered both in the 1990s, are constantly invoked: Only loyalty to the Kremlin can keep the monsters at bay. The European Union, Britain and the United States are portrayed as sites of moral decay, rife with political instability and impoverishment.

In a country where 72 percent of the population doesn’t have a passport and where the financial means to travel abroad remain generally out of reach, such messages find a receptive audience.

This wall-to-wall coverage has profound effects on public opinion. In 2008, as conflict between Russia and neighboring Georgia escalated, the media went into overdrive, depicting Georgia as a haven of anti-Russian activity intent on violence. The results were stunning: A year later, after the war ended, 62 percent of Russians considered Georgia, a small republic in the south Caucasus, to be Russia’s main enemy.

Now ruled by a government more friendly to Russia, Georgia has largely disappeared from state television. The view of it as the main enemy has steadily dropped and is now held by just 15 percent of Russians.

Both broadcast and print are comprehensively under the Kremlin’s control. So too, nearly, is the internet. Ten years ago, social networks helped bring people to the streets in protest against rigged parliamentary elections. Since then, a set of technological and legislative measures — tapping users’ phones and computers, introducing criminal charges for content labeled “extremist” and curtailing the independence of Russia’s biggest tech company, Yandex — have turned the internet into heavily policed terrain. A social media post can cost a few years in prison.

But that’s not the whole story. The great success of Mr. Navalny’s film about Mr. Putin’s alleged mansion by the Black Sea, which has been watched by at least 118 million people since it was released in January, shows that the state’s domination over the media is not enough to prevent undesired content from reaching ordinary Russians. No matter how extensively the Kremlin intervenes in internet platforms — through bots, paid trolls and law enforcement — it remains possible to spread information injurious to the regime.

There are still a few independent local and nationwide media outlets in Russia. Though they can hardly compete with state-funded television channels and newspapers, they are able to reach a sizable slice of the population.

Meduza, for example, one of Russia’s most respected independent news outlets, draws millions of readers to its website a year, and MediaZona, an independent outlet that focuses on corruption and the misuse of law enforcement powers, added more than two million readers earlier this year through its coverage of Mr. Navalny’s trial. TV Rain, an independent television channel, manages to command the attention of 2.3 million viewers.

This success, however small and circumscribed, proved too much for Mr. Putin — and he turned to repression. Through the “foreign agent law,” introduced in 2012 and initially aimed at foreign-funded media such as Voice of America and Radio Free Europe, the Kremlin has been able to decimate the ranks of independent media. Six outlets were given the designation this year, along with 19 journalists. For the smaller publications, it was the end. Bigger outlets, including Meduza, are scrapping for survival.

The situation, though bleak, is not lost. Independent journalists and outlets continue to find a way to operate, inventively sidestepping the constraints cast on them by the Kremlin through canny crowdfunding and humor. In this, they offer an example to other independent journalists around the world fighting to keep authoritarian politicians accountable.

Even so, Mr. Putin’s media method — propaganda on one hand, repression on the other — continues to bear fruit. Faced with a stagnant economy, an aging population and simmering discontent, it surely can’t go on forever. But, for now, it’s working.

Elections in Russia are always tricky for the Kremlin. Offer too much choice, and citizens may pick the wrong candidates. Offer too little, and the underlying authoritarianism of the regime becomes grimly apparent.

Elections in Russia are always tricky for the Kremlin. Offer too much choice, and citizens may pick the wrong candidates. Offer too little, and the underlying authoritarianism of the regime becomes grimly apparent. This year, for the parliamentary elections that began on Friday and end on Sunday, President Vladimir Putin is not taking any chances. From the moment Aleksei Navalny, the opposition leader and the Kremlin’s best-known critic, returned to the country in January, the president has overseen a wave of repression. Scores of independent media outlets have been labeled foreign agents, hobbling their activities, and opposition figures have either been banned from political activity or intimidated into exile. Mr. Navalny is in jail, most of his closest associates have left the country and his organization has been disbanded. The opposition is in tatters. There has been no sustained outcry within the country against these moves. Mr. Putin’s approval ratings remain solid, and the election is likely to return a majority for his party, United Russia. The system grinds on. At the heart of the Kremlin’s continued social and political control sits the Russian media. A sprawling network of television stations and newspapers, often lurid in style and spurious in content, the Kremlin’s propaganda system is a central pillar of Mr. Putin’s power. Against all the dissent and discontent with his regime, inside and outside the country, it acts as an impermeable shield. Combined with repression, it is how he wins. Nearly all of Russia’s television stations and newspapers are under state control. Some, like REN TV, are owned by private companies with links to the Kremlin. Others, like Rossiya and Channel One, are state-owned and often deliver outright propaganda as the news. Behind the scenes, Mr. Putin’s accomplices — like Alexei Gromov, who as deputy chief of staff in the presidential administration oversees the media — carefully manage the message. Failures are downplayed, criticism avoided and, at every turn, praise heaped on the president, who is cast as a sensible and wise leader. This machine doesn’t need coercion. An army of reporters, editors and producers, happy to toe any political line in return for promotion and payment, churns out an endless stream of fawning accounts of Mr. Putin, the prime minister and influential regional governors. Conformists and careerists, these journalists are not blind to the realities of contemporary Russia. But they choose to work on the side of the winners. Funded to the tune of billions of dollars by those close to Mr. Putin, the media preys on the population’s worst fears. The threats of economic disaster and territorial disintegration, in a country that suffered both in the 1990s, are constantly invoked: Only loyalty to the Kremlin can keep the monsters at bay. The European Union, Britain and the United States are portrayed as sites of moral decay, rife with political instability and impoverishment. In a country where 72 percent of the population doesn’t have a passport and where the financial means to travel abroad remain generally out of reach, such messages find a receptive audience. This wall-to-wall coverage has profound effects on public opinion. In 2008, as conflict between Russia and neighboring Georgia escalated, the media went into overdrive, depicting Georgia as a haven of anti-Russian activity intent on violence. The results were stunning: A year later, after the war ended, 62 percent of Russians considered Georgia, a small republic in the south Caucasus, to be Russia’s main enemy. Now ruled by a government more friendly to Russia, Georgia has largely disappeared from state television. The view of it as the main enemy has steadily dropped and is now held by just 15 percent of Russians. Both broadcast and print are comprehensively under the Kremlin’s control. So too, nearly, is the internet. Ten years ago, social networks helped bring people to the streets in protest against rigged parliamentary elections. Since then, a set of technological and legislative measures — tapping users’ phones and computers, introducing criminal charges for content labeled “extremist” and curtailing the independence of Russia’s biggest tech company, Yandex — have turned the internet into heavily policed terrain. A social media post can cost a few years in prison. But that’s not the whole story. The great success of Mr. Navalny’s film about Mr. Putin’s alleged mansion by the Black Sea, which has been watched by at least 118 million people since it was released in January, shows that the state’s domination over the media is not enough to prevent undesired content from reaching ordinary Russians. No matter how extensively the Kremlin intervenes in internet platforms — through bots, paid trolls and law enforcement — it remains possible to spread information injurious to the regime. There are still a few independent local and nationwide media outlets in Russia. Though they can hardly compete with state-funded television channels and newspapers, they are able to reach a sizable slice of the population. Meduza, for example, one of Russia’s most respected independent news outlets, draws millions of readers to its website a year, and MediaZona, an independent outlet that focuses on corruption and the misuse of law enforcement powers, added more than two million readers earlier this year through its coverage of Mr. Navalny’s trial. TV Rain, an independent television channel, manages to command the attention of 2.3 million viewers. This success, however small and circumscribed, proved too much for Mr. Putin — and he turned to repression. Through the “foreign agent law,” introduced in 2012 and initially aimed at foreign-funded media such as Voice of America and Radio Free Europe, the Kremlin has been able to decimate the ranks of independent media. Six outlets were given the designation this year, along with 19 journalists. For the smaller publications, it was the end. Bigger outlets, including Meduza, are scrapping for survival. The situation, though bleak, is not lost. Independent journalists and outlets continue to find a way to operate, inventively sidestepping the constraints cast on them by the Kremlin through canny crowdfunding and humor. In this, they offer an example to other independent journalists around the world fighting to keep authoritarian politicians accountable. Even so, Mr. Putin’s media method — propaganda on one hand, repression on the other — continues to bear fruit. Faced with a stagnant economy, an aging population and simmering discontent, it surely can’t go on forever. But, for now, it’s working.

There’s a reason Putin keeps winning

President Vladimir Putin's United Russia party looks set for a majority in the country's parliamentary election, after a vote dogged by allegations of fraud.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's party set to win amid fraud claims

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday declared USD 135 for pensioners in an apparent bid to drum up support ahead of next month's parliamentary elections. It is considered that Putin's ruling United Russia Party may struggle.

Putin has already announced many social spendings aimed at acting as sweetener in the election season. Rising prices and falling wages have dented United Russia's ratings.

As per a statement by the Kremlin, Putin has ordered payments of 10,000 rubles (USD 135). The payment will be handed out in September. This effectively doubles the monthly state pension.&nbsp;

In a meeting with United Russia officials on Sunday, Putin said that pensioners had been hit hardest by this year's soaring inflation.&nbsp;

Annual inflation in Russia has reached 6.5 per cent. The central bank in June hiked key interest rate to the same figure. This is the biggest increase since 2014 currency crisis.

Putin on Sunday also proposed giving 15,000-ruble bonuses to military staff.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dont-want-afghan-militants-in-russia-says-putin-407630">Don’t want Afghan militants in Russia, says Putin</a>

In June he promised to spend billions on repairing roads and developing public transport, infrastructure and healthcare.&nbsp;

United Russia's ratings started falling steeply in 2018 after the government passed a controversial pension reform plan that raised the retirement age.

The move came as Russia's economy had been stagnating, battered by waves of Western sanctions after Moscow annexed Crimea in 2014.&nbsp;

Ahead of next month's election, United Russia is polling around 30 percent, according to state-run pollster VTsIOM -- a 10-point drop from the last lower house elections in 2016.

The party currently controls 75 percent of seats in the State Duma, with the rest held by parties widely seen as doing the Kremlin's bidding.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday declared USD 135 for pensioners in an apparent bid to drum up support ahead of next month's parliamentary elections. It is considered that Putin's ruling United Russia Party may struggle.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday declared USD 135 for pensioners in an apparent bid to drum up support ahead of next month's parliamentary elections. It is considered that Putin's ruling United Russia Party may struggle. Putin has already announced many social spendings aimed at acting as sweetener in the election season. Rising prices and falling wages have dented United Russia's ratings. As per a statement by the Kremlin, Putin has ordered payments of 10,000 rubles (USD 135). The payment will be handed out in September. This effectively doubles the monthly state pension. In a meeting with United Russia officials on Sunday, Putin said that pensioners had been hit hardest by this year's soaring inflation. Annual inflation in Russia has reached 6.5 per cent. The central bank in June hiked key interest rate to the same figure. This is the biggest increase since 2014 currency crisis. Putin on Sunday also proposed giving 15,000-ruble bonuses to military staff. Also Read: Don’t want Afghan militants in Russia, says Putin In June he promised to spend billions on repairing roads and developing public transport, infrastructure and healthcare. United Russia's ratings started falling steeply in 2018 after the government passed a controversial pension reform plan that raised the retirement age. The move came as Russia's economy had been stagnating, battered by waves of Western sanctions after Moscow annexed Crimea in 2014. Ahead of next month's election, United Russia is polling around 30 percent, according to state-run pollster VTsIOM -- a 10-point drop from the last lower house elections in 2016. The party currently controls 75 percent of seats in the State Duma, with the rest held by parties widely seen as doing the Kremlin's bidding. (With inputs from agencies)

Putin declares cash payments for pensioners ahead of polls

In an effort to fight Vladimir Putin’s electoral machine, Navalny and his team have urged Russians to vote tactically by backing the strongest candidates

Regional Election in Russia: Pro-Kremlin party set to claim victory

Russia's main pro-Kremlin party is claiming a clear win in local polls, seen as a big test of its popularity. Watch report.

Regional election in Russia: Sweeping lead for ruling United Russia?

Russia regional election: Politicians backed by Putin coasting to landslide win

Russians vote on September 13 in regional elections that will be scrutinised for signs of discontent with the ruling United Russia party following the suspected poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

Regional election in Russia: Test of Kremlin party's grip on power | World News

Local poll viewed as dry run for 2021 Parliamentary election in Russia

Russians overwhelmingly approved a package of constitutional changes in a nationwide vote, partial results showed Wednesday, allowing President Vladimir Putin to potentially extend his two-decade rule until 2036.

With just over 85 per cent of ballots counted after the end of seven days of voting, 77.8 percent of voters had supported the reforms during the election, according to election commission figures cited by Russian state agencies.&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/putins-reform-package-from-russia-putins-grand-bid-to-hold-onto-power-309924/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

There had been little doubt of voters backing the changes, which Putin announced earlier this year and critics denounced as a manoeuvre to allow him to stay in the Kremlin for life.

The amendments had been passed weeks ago by Russia's parliament and copies of the new constitution were already on sale in bookshops, but Putin had said voter approval was essential to give them legitimacy.

The reforms include conservative and populist measures&nbsp;like guaranteed minimum pensions and an effective ban on gay marriage but crucially for Putin also reset presidential limits allowing him to run twice again after his current six-year term expires in 2024.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-holds-prominent-voting-day-on-constitutional-amendments-today-309877/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The Kremlin pulled out all the stops to encourage voting, with polls extended over nearly a week, the last day of voting declared a national holiday and prizes -- including apartments, cars and cash -- on offer to voters.

Initially planned for April 22, the referendum was postponed by the coronavirus pandemic but rescheduled after Putin said the epidemic had peaked and officials began reporting lower numbers of new cases.

Russians overwhelmingly approved a package of constitutional changes in a nationwide vote, partial results showed Wednesday, allowing President Vladimir Putin to potentially extend his two-decade rule until 2036.

Russians overwhelmingly approved a package of constitutional changes in a nationwide vote, partial results showed Wednesday, allowing President Vladimir Putin to potentially extend his two-decade rule until 2036. With just over 85 per cent of ballots counted after the end of seven days of voting, 77.8 percent of voters had supported the reforms during the election, according to election commission figures cited by Russian state agencies. There had been little doubt of voters backing the changes, which Putin announced earlier this year and critics denounced as a manoeuvre to allow him to stay in the Kremlin for life. The amendments had been passed weeks ago by Russia's parliament and copies of the new constitution were already on sale in bookshops, but Putin had said voter approval was essential to give them legitimacy. The reforms include conservative and populist measures like guaranteed minimum pensions and an effective ban on gay marriage but crucially for Putin also reset presidential limits allowing him to run twice again after his current six-year term expires in 2024. The Kremlin pulled out all the stops to encourage voting, with polls extended over nearly a week, the last day of voting declared a national holiday and prizes -- including apartments, cars and cash -- on offer to voters. Initially planned for April 22, the referendum was postponed by the coronavirus pandemic but rescheduled after Putin said the epidemic had peaked and officials began reporting lower numbers of new cases.

Russian voters overwhelmingly back Putin's reform plan to rule until 2036

Over the last week, millions of Russians have been voting to reform their constitution, a move that will now make Russian President Vladamir Putin's rule until 2036. Watch report.

Putin's reform package from Russia: Putin's grand bid to hold onto power

Nearly <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tens-of-thousands-call-for-fair-elections-at-moscow-rally-242057">50,000 opposition supporters rallied </a>and dozens were arrested in Moscow on Saturday at one of the largest authorised protests since President Vladimir Putin's return to the Kremlin in 2012.

Demonstrators crowded the central Prospekt Andreya Sakharova street, where city authorities deployed a massive police presence, including officers in riot gear, after permitting for the rally to go ahead.

The White Counter, an NGO that tracks participants in rallies, counted 49,900 people, while Moscow police gave a much lower attendance figure of 20,000.

A total of 71 people were detained in Moscow and a further 80 were arrested in Russia's second-largest city of Saint Petersburg, according to OVD-Info, an NGO that monitors detentions at protests.

In recent weeks, thousands have attended street protests calling for free and fair elections after the exclusion of several opposition figures, including allies of top Putin critic Alexei Navalny, from local Moscow polls next month.

While the rally was authorised, Navalny -- who is currently in jail -- had urged supporters to walk peacefully through the city afterwards.

Navalny's associate, Boris Zolotarevsky, told protesters to proceed to Putin's administration offices. He was detained by police shortly afterwards.

- 'Citizens are hostages' -

At the rally, some protesters carried placards with slogans such as "Give us the right to vote!" and "You've lied to us enough", while others held up pictures of activists arrested at earlier demonstrations.&nbsp;

"I'm outraged by this injustice at every level. They're not letting candidates stand who have collected all the necessary signatures. They are arresting people who are protesting peacefully," said one protester, Irina Dargolts, a 60-year-old engineer.

"It feels like the country is a prisoner and its citizens are hostages... No one represents the people," said Dmitry Khobbotovsky, an activist for the Open Russia movement funded by Kremlin foe and former oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky.

Showing the movement's appeal to young Russians, one of the country's most famous rappers, Oxxxymiron, attended the rally and another popular rapper Face performed on stage.

"I'm performing here today so that my people have freedom and the right to choose," said Face, 22, known for his facial tattoos.

- Police crackdown - 
Riot police and the national guard had detained over 2,000 people at the previous two rallies, which were not authorised by city officials, and a dozen protesters face criminal charges and risk jail terms for "mass disorder".

Most opposition candidates banned from participating in the Moscow election have now been jailed for violating protest laws. &nbsp;

One of the rally speakers was the wife of opposition politician Dmitry Gudkov, who is serving a 30-day sentence.

"Each of us has the right to run for office and they are very afraid of that," said Valeriya Gudkova.&nbsp;

"We have real support from the public and they just have criminals in their electoral commissions."&nbsp;

- 'Attempt to gag us' -

As he enters his third decade in power, Putin's approval ratings have dropped significantly and critics say the authorities fear any outlet calling for wider political change.

The latest demonstration came this week as authorities mounted their harshest attack yet on Navalny's team, focusing on his anti-corruption foundation which publishes investigations of officials close to Putin.

One of the foundation's lawyers, Lyubov Sobol, was detained Saturday at her campaign office by police in riot gear, she wrote on social media.&nbsp;

Riot police also raided the studio where Navalny's supporters were set to run a live broadcast of the protest, activists said.

On Thursday, investigators raided the foundation's office as part of a probe into alleged acceptance of donations of laundered money and a court froze the foundation's accounts.

"This is the most aggressive attempt yet to gag us," Navalny wrote in a blog entry he issued through lawyers while serving a 30-day sentence.

Nearly 50,000 opposition supporters rallied and dozens were arrested in Moscow on Saturday at one of the largest authorised protests since President Vladimir Putin's return to the Kremlin in 2012.

Nearly 50,000 opposition supporters rallied and dozens were arrested in Moscow on Saturday at one of the largest authorised protests since President Vladimir Putin's return to the Kremlin in 2012. Demonstrators crowded the central Prospekt Andreya Sakharova street, where city authorities deployed a massive police presence, including officers in riot gear, after permitting for the rally to go ahead. The White Counter, an NGO that tracks participants in rallies, counted 49,900 people, while Moscow police gave a much lower attendance figure of 20,000. A total of 71 people were detained in Moscow and a further 80 were arrested in Russia's second-largest city of Saint Petersburg, according to OVD-Info, an NGO that monitors detentions at protests. In recent weeks, thousands have attended street protests calling for free and fair elections after the exclusion of several opposition figures, including allies of top Putin critic Alexei Navalny, from local Moscow polls next month. While the rally was authorised, Navalny -- who is currently in jail -- had urged supporters to walk peacefully through the city afterwards. Navalny's associate, Boris Zolotarevsky, told protesters to proceed to Putin's administration offices. He was detained by police shortly afterwards. - 'Citizens are hostages' - At the rally, some protesters carried placards with slogans such as "Give us the right to vote!" and "You've lied to us enough", while others held up pictures of activists arrested at earlier demonstrations. "I'm outraged by this injustice at every level. They're not letting candidates stand who have collected all the necessary signatures. They are arresting people who are protesting peacefully," said one protester, Irina Dargolts, a 60-year-old engineer. "It feels like the country is a prisoner and its citizens are hostages... No one represents the people," said Dmitry Khobbotovsky, an activist for the Open Russia movement funded by Kremlin foe and former oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky. Showing the movement's appeal to young Russians, one of the country's most famous rappers, Oxxxymiron, attended the rally and another popular rapper Face performed on stage. "I'm performing here today so that my people have freedom and the right to choose," said Face, 22, known for his facial tattoos. - Police crackdown - Riot police and the national guard had detained over 2,000 people at the previous two rallies, which were not authorised by city officials, and a dozen protesters face criminal charges and risk jail terms for "mass disorder". Most opposition candidates banned from participating in the Moscow election have now been jailed for violating protest laws. One of the rally speakers was the wife of opposition politician Dmitry Gudkov, who is serving a 30-day sentence. "Each of us has the right to run for office and they are very afraid of that," said Valeriya Gudkova. "We have real support from the public and they just have criminals in their electoral commissions." - 'Attempt to gag us' - As he enters his third decade in power, Putin's approval ratings have dropped significantly and critics say the authorities fear any outlet calling for wider political change. The latest demonstration came this week as authorities mounted their harshest attack yet on Navalny's team, focusing on his anti-corruption foundation which publishes investigations of officials close to Putin. One of the foundation's lawyers, Lyubov Sobol, was detained Saturday at her campaign office by police in riot gear, she wrote on social media. Riot police also raided the studio where Navalny's supporters were set to run a live broadcast of the protest, activists said. On Thursday, investigators raided the foundation's office as part of a probe into alleged acceptance of donations of laundered money and a court froze the foundation's accounts. "This is the most aggressive attempt yet to gag us," Navalny wrote in a blog entry he issued through lawyers while serving a 30-day sentence.

Dozens arrested at huge opposition rally in Moscow

Almost 50,000 opposition supporters rallied in Moscow Saturday at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-opposition-plans-major-moscow-protest-after-crackdown-241936">one of the largest protests </a>since President Vladimir Putin's return to the Kremlin in 2012.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-accuses-us-of-encouraging-people-to-protest-in-moscow-241853">Protesters</a> crowded the central Prospekt Andreya Sakharova street, where city authorities deployed a massive police presence, including officers in riot gear, after giving permission for the rally to go ahead.

The White Counter, an NGO that tracks participants in rallies, counted 49,900 people, while Moscow police gave a much lower attendance figure of 20,000.

In recent weeks, thousands have attended street protests calling for free and fair elections after the exclusion of several opposition figures, including allies of top Putin critic Alexei Navalny, from local Moscow polls next month.

On Saturday, some protesters carried placards with slogans such as "Give us the right to vote!" and "You've lied to us enough" while others held up pictures of activists arrested at earlier demonstrations.&nbsp;

"I'm outraged by this injustice at every level. They're not letting candidates stand who have collected all the necessary signatures. They are arresting people who are protesting peacefully," said one protester, Irina Dargolts, a 60-year-old engineer.

"It feels like the country is a prisoner and its citizens are hostages... No one represents the people," said Dmitry Khobbotovsky, an activist for the Open Russia movement funded by Kremlin foe and former oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky.

Showing the movement's appeal to young Russians, one of the country's most famous rappers, Oxxxymiron, attended the rally and another popular rapper Face performed on stage.

"I'm performing here today so that my people have freedom and the right to choose," said Face, 22, known for his facial tattoos.

Riot police and the national guard detained more than 2,000 at the previous two rallies, which were not authorised by city officials, and a dozen protesters face criminal charges of "mass disorder".

Most opposition candidates who have been banned from participating in the vote have also now been jailed for violating protest laws. &nbsp;

One of the rally speakers was the wife of opposition politician Dmitry Gudkov, who is serving a 30-day sentence.

"Each of us has the right to run for office and they are very afraid of that," said Valeriya Gudkova.&nbsp;

"We have real support from the public and they just have criminals in their electoral commissions."&nbsp;

While Saturday's rally was authorised, Navalny, who is currently in jail, urged supporters to walk peacefully through the city afterwards, when they would risk detention for illegal protests.

One of Navalny's associates, Boris Zolotarevsky, at the end of the rally urged protesters to go to Putin's presidential administration offices in central Moscow. He was detained by police shortly afterwards.

Moscow police and the powerful Investigative Committee issued a warning ahead of the rally saying unsanctioned protests would be "immediately halted."

Eight people were detained in Moscow at Saturday's demonstration, while 51 were detained at protests in Russia's second largest city of Saint Petersburg, according to OVD-Info, an NGO that monitors protests.

- 'Attempt to gag us' -

As he enters his third decade in power, Putin's approval ratings have dropped significantly and critics say the authorities fear any outlet calling for wider political change.

The latest demonstration came this week as authorities mounted their harshest attack yet on Navalny's team, focusing on his anti-corruption foundation which publishes investigations of officials close to Putin.

One of the foundation's lawyers, Lyubov Sobol, was detained Saturday morning at her campaign office by police in riot gear, she wrote on social media.&nbsp;

Riot police also raided the studio where Navalny's supporters were set to run a live broadcast of the protest, activists said.

On Thursday, investigators raided the foundation's office as part of a probe into alleged acceptance of donations of laundered money and a court froze the foundation's accounts.

"This is the most aggressive attempt yet to gag us," Navalny wrote in a blog entry he issued through lawyers while serving a 30-day sentence. 
&nbsp;

Almost 50,000 opposition supporters rallied in Moscow Saturday at one of the largest protests since President Vladimir Putin's return to the Kremlin in 2012. Protesters crowded the central Prospekt Andreya Sakharova street, where city authorities deployed a massive police presence, including officers in riot gear, after giving permission for the rally to go ahead.

Almost 50,000 opposition supporters rallied in Moscow Saturday at one of the largest protests since President Vladimir Putin's return to the Kremlin in 2012. Protesters crowded the central Prospekt Andreya Sakharova street, where city authorities deployed a massive police presence, including officers in riot gear, after giving permission for the rally to go ahead. The White Counter, an NGO that tracks participants in rallies, counted 49,900 people, while Moscow police gave a much lower attendance figure of 20,000. In recent weeks, thousands have attended street protests calling for free and fair elections after the exclusion of several opposition figures, including allies of top Putin critic Alexei Navalny, from local Moscow polls next month. On Saturday, some protesters carried placards with slogans such as "Give us the right to vote!" and "You've lied to us enough" while others held up pictures of activists arrested at earlier demonstrations. "I'm outraged by this injustice at every level. They're not letting candidates stand who have collected all the necessary signatures. They are arresting people who are protesting peacefully," said one protester, Irina Dargolts, a 60-year-old engineer. "It feels like the country is a prisoner and its citizens are hostages... No one represents the people," said Dmitry Khobbotovsky, an activist for the Open Russia movement funded by Kremlin foe and former oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky. Showing the movement's appeal to young Russians, one of the country's most famous rappers, Oxxxymiron, attended the rally and another popular rapper Face performed on stage. "I'm performing here today so that my people have freedom and the right to choose," said Face, 22, known for his facial tattoos. Riot police and the national guard detained more than 2,000 at the previous two rallies, which were not authorised by city officials, and a dozen protesters face criminal charges of "mass disorder". Most opposition candidates who have been banned from participating in the vote have also now been jailed for violating protest laws. One of the rally speakers was the wife of opposition politician Dmitry Gudkov, who is serving a 30-day sentence. "Each of us has the right to run for office and they are very afraid of that," said Valeriya Gudkova. "We have real support from the public and they just have criminals in their electoral commissions." While Saturday's rally was authorised, Navalny, who is currently in jail, urged supporters to walk peacefully through the city afterwards, when they would risk detention for illegal protests. One of Navalny's associates, Boris Zolotarevsky, at the end of the rally urged protesters to go to Putin's presidential administration offices in central Moscow. He was detained by police shortly afterwards. Moscow police and the powerful Investigative Committee issued a warning ahead of the rally saying unsanctioned protests would be "immediately halted." Eight people were detained in Moscow at Saturday's demonstration, while 51 were detained at protests in Russia's second largest city of Saint Petersburg, according to OVD-Info, an NGO that monitors protests. - 'Attempt to gag us' - As he enters his third decade in power, Putin's approval ratings have dropped significantly and critics say the authorities fear any outlet calling for wider political change. The latest demonstration came this week as authorities mounted their harshest attack yet on Navalny's team, focusing on his anti-corruption foundation which publishes investigations of officials close to Putin. One of the foundation's lawyers, Lyubov Sobol, was detained Saturday morning at her campaign office by police in riot gear, she wrote on social media. Riot police also raided the studio where Navalny's supporters were set to run a live broadcast of the protest, activists said. On Thursday, investigators raided the foundation's office as part of a probe into alleged acceptance of donations of laundered money and a court froze the foundation's accounts. "This is the most aggressive attempt yet to gag us," Navalny wrote in a blog entry he issued through lawyers while serving a 30-day sentence.

Tens of thousands call for fair elections at Moscow rally

Thousands of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-was-putins-political-rival-poisoned-239314">Russian opposition protesters</a> were expected to try and rally again in Moscow on Saturday to demand free elections despite a sweeping police crackdown and ban on the event.

At a similar protest a week earlier, police detained more than 1,000 people, sometimes violently, in one of the biggest security operations of recent years that brought widespread international condemnation.

A Moscow court said on Friday that 88 people had been taken into custody for taking part in last weekend`s protest, another 332 fined, and that more than 1,000 charge sheets had been drawn up. Many of the anti-Kremlin opposition`s leading figures, including Alexei Navalny, are now behind bars.&nbsp;

Authorities carried out a new round of detentions and home searches after the last protest and opened criminal proceedings for what they term mass civil unrest, an offence which carries a penalty of up to 15 years in jail.

The focus of protesters` anger is a prohibition on a slew of opposition-minded candidates, some of whom are allies of Navalny, from taking part in a September election for Moscow`s city legislature.

That vote, though local, is seen as a dry run for a national parliamentary election in 2021.

Authorities say the opposition candidates failed to collect enough genuine signatures to register.

The excluded candidates say that is a lie and insist on taking part in a contest they believe they could win.

Government's rating down

The ruling United Russia party`s rating is at its lowest since 2011 and President Vladimir Putin`s own rating has fallen due to discontent over falling living standards.

Lyubov Sobol, one of the excluded candidates, told Reuters demonstrations would continue until the authorities backed down.

"It won`t be solved until they understand that people are demanding political representation that takes account of their own opinion and will, that these people are not going away," said Sobol, who is on a hunger strike.

At least of eight of Sobol`s allies, including Navalny, are in jail for breaking tough protest laws. United Russia dominates the national parliament, and Navalny plus his allies are starved of media air-time.&nbsp;

Putin and the Kremlin have not commented on the standoff, but Moscow prosecutors on Friday warned would-be protesters that the demonstration had not been approved and that its organisers could be brought to account.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, a Putin ally, has told the opposition he will not allow their protest movement to plunge the Russian capital into anarchy.&nbsp;

The planned protest underlines the determination of Kremlin critics - especially younger people - to keep pressing to open Russia`s tightly-choreographed political system to competition.

At well over 60 per cent, Putin`s approval rating is still high compared to many other world leaders, but lower than it used to be due to discontent over years of falling incomes.&nbsp;

Last year, the 66-year-old former KGB intelligence officer won a landslide re-election and a new six-year term until 2024.&nbsp;

Thousands of Russian opposition protesters were expected to try and rally again in Moscow on Saturday to demand free elections despite a sweeping police crackdown and ban on the event.

Thousands of Russian opposition protesters were expected to try and rally again in Moscow on Saturday to demand free elections despite a sweeping police crackdown and ban on the event. At a similar protest a week earlier, police detained more than 1,000 people, sometimes violently, in one of the biggest security operations of recent years that brought widespread international condemnation. A Moscow court said on Friday that 88 people had been taken into custody for taking part in last weekend`s protest, another 332 fined, and that more than 1,000 charge sheets had been drawn up. Many of the anti-Kremlin opposition`s leading figures, including Alexei Navalny, are now behind bars. Authorities carried out a new round of detentions and home searches after the last protest and opened criminal proceedings for what they term mass civil unrest, an offence which carries a penalty of up to 15 years in jail. The focus of protesters` anger is a prohibition on a slew of opposition-minded candidates, some of whom are allies of Navalny, from taking part in a September election for Moscow`s city legislature. That vote, though local, is seen as a dry run for a national parliamentary election in 2021. Authorities say the opposition candidates failed to collect enough genuine signatures to register. The excluded candidates say that is a lie and insist on taking part in a contest they believe they could win. Government's rating down The ruling United Russia party`s rating is at its lowest since 2011 and President Vladimir Putin`s own rating has fallen due to discontent over falling living standards. Lyubov Sobol, one of the excluded candidates, told Reuters demonstrations would continue until the authorities backed down. "It won`t be solved until they understand that people are demanding political representation that takes account of their own opinion and will, that these people are not going away," said Sobol, who is on a hunger strike. At least of eight of Sobol`s allies, including Navalny, are in jail for breaking tough protest laws. United Russia dominates the national parliament, and Navalny plus his allies are starved of media air-time. Putin and the Kremlin have not commented on the standoff, but Moscow prosecutors on Friday warned would-be protesters that the demonstration had not been approved and that its organisers could be brought to account. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, a Putin ally, has told the opposition he will not allow their protest movement to plunge the Russian capital into anarchy. The planned protest underlines the determination of Kremlin critics - especially younger people - to keep pressing to open Russia`s tightly-choreographed political system to competition. At well over 60 per cent, Putin`s approval rating is still high compared to many other world leaders, but lower than it used to be due to discontent over years of falling incomes. Last year, the 66-year-old former KGB intelligence officer won a landslide re-election and a new six-year term until 2024.

Russian opposition plans new election protest despite crackdown

Russian investigators on Tuesday launched a probe into "mass unrest", a crime punishable by up to 15 years in prison after thousands took to the streets at the weekend to demand fair elections.

Nearly 1,400 people were arrested on Saturday at an unauthorised protest in central Moscow that was broken up by baton-wielding riot police, as anger grows against authorities' refusal to allow prominent opposition candidates to stand for the city parliament.

The crackdown was the largest of its kind since 2012 when tens of thousands of people came out to protest Vladimir Putin's return to the presidency after four years as prime minister.

Federal investigators said their probe would target not just the organisers of the weekend rally but also participants. The investigation will also look into violence against police and other officials, they said in a statement.

The probe is part of a wider move by authorities to quell the protest movement, which comes amid growing public frustration over declining living standards and a fall in Putin's approval ratings.

Opposition leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alexei-navalny-the-lawyer-standing-up-to-vladimir-putin-239518">Alexei Navalny</a> is serving a 30-day jail term for calling on people to attend the weekend demonstration.&nbsp;

On Sunday, the 43-year-old was taken from his prison cell to hospital after what was initially reported as a severe allergic reaction but his lawyer Olga Mikhailova said was a poisoning by an unknown chemical substance.

Navalny's doctor Anastasia Vasilyeva criticised authorities' decision to return him to prison following treatment, and complained on Tuesday she was not allowed to visit him in jail.

A number of other opposition figures, who applied to stand in the September elections but were rejected, have been jailed since the rally.&nbsp;

Opposition politician Dmitry Gudkov was on Tuesday sentenced to a month over an earlier unauthorised protest, while would-be candidate Ilya Yashin was jailed for 20 days in two separate sentencings.

The director of Navalny's Anti-Corruption Fund, Ivan Zhdanov, was on Monday jailed for 15 days, and independent politician Yulia Galyamina sentenced to 10 days on Tuesday.

'Obliged to use force'

Earlier Tuesday, a senior representative of the Russian prosecutor general's office called for a "severe" response to any further unauthorised rallies.

The opposition has however already called for a new unsanctioned protest on Saturday, and more than 13,000 people have indicated an interest on Facebook.&nbsp;

Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin, a top Putin ally, accused organisers of preparing a "fresh provocation".&nbsp;

In a TV interview, he defended the response of police, who he said were "obliged to use force" during the weekend demonstration.

The West has condemned the actions of the Russian police, who used batons on demonstrators on Saturday. AFP journalists at the scene saw protesters with injuries.

Elections to Moscow's 45-seat legislative body, currently controlled by the ruling party United Russia, are to be held on September 8.

Local polls are a rare opportunity for dissenting voices to participate in political life as anti-Kremlin parties have been squeezed out of parliament over Putin's two decades in power.

Russian investigators on Tuesday launched a probe into "mass unrest", a crime punishable by up to 15 years in prison after thousands took to the streets at the weekend to demand fair elections.

Russian investigators on Tuesday launched a probe into "mass unrest", a crime punishable by up to 15 years in prison after thousands took to the streets at the weekend to demand fair elections. Nearly 1,400 people were arrested on Saturday at an unauthorised protest in central Moscow that was broken up by baton-wielding riot police, as anger grows against authorities' refusal to allow prominent opposition candidates to stand for the city parliament. The crackdown was the largest of its kind since 2012 when tens of thousands of people came out to protest Vladimir Putin's return to the presidency after four years as prime minister. Federal investigators said their probe would target not just the organisers of the weekend rally but also participants. The investigation will also look into violence against police and other officials, they said in a statement. The probe is part of a wider move by authorities to quell the protest movement, which comes amid growing public frustration over declining living standards and a fall in Putin's approval ratings. Opposition leader Alexei Navalny is serving a 30-day jail term for calling on people to attend the weekend demonstration. On Sunday, the 43-year-old was taken from his prison cell to hospital after what was initially reported as a severe allergic reaction but his lawyer Olga Mikhailova said was a poisoning by an unknown chemical substance. Navalny's doctor Anastasia Vasilyeva criticised authorities' decision to return him to prison following treatment, and complained on Tuesday she was not allowed to visit him in jail. A number of other opposition figures, who applied to stand in the September elections but were rejected, have been jailed since the rally. Opposition politician Dmitry Gudkov was on Tuesday sentenced to a month over an earlier unauthorised protest, while would-be candidate Ilya Yashin was jailed for 20 days in two separate sentencings. The director of Navalny's Anti-Corruption Fund, Ivan Zhdanov, was on Monday jailed for 15 days, and independent politician Yulia Galyamina sentenced to 10 days on Tuesday. 'Obliged to use force' Earlier Tuesday, a senior representative of the Russian prosecutor general's office called for a "severe" response to any further unauthorised rallies. The opposition has however already called for a new unsanctioned protest on Saturday, and more than 13,000 people have indicated an interest on Facebook. Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin, a top Putin ally, accused organisers of preparing a "fresh provocation". In a TV interview, he defended the response of police, who he said were "obliged to use force" during the weekend demonstration. The West has condemned the actions of the Russian police, who used batons on demonstrators on Saturday. AFP journalists at the scene saw protesters with injuries. Elections to Moscow's 45-seat legislative body, currently controlled by the ruling party United Russia, are to be held on September 8. Local polls are a rare opportunity for dissenting voices to participate in political life as anti-Kremlin parties have been squeezed out of parliament over Putin's two decades in power.

Russia launches criminal probe after mass protest for fair elections

Russia's jailed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-opposition-leader-navalny-in-satisfactory-condition-hospital-239204">opposition leader Alexei Navalny</a> said Monday he might have been "poisoned" in his prison cell amid a crackdown on anti-Kremlin protesters.

Navalny, who has been in jail since last week for calling an unauthorised rally, released a picture of himself in hospital with his face puffy, especially around the eyes.

His lawyer and personal physician earlier said that Navalny, President Vladimir Putin's top opponent, was exposed to an unidentified toxic substance and that doctors had sent him back to jail despite his condition.

The 43-year-old lawyer was rushed to hospital from jail on Sunday, a day after nearly 1,400 people were arrested at an unauthorised protest -- the largest police crackdown on dissent in recent years.

Writing on his blog, Navalny, who has never suffered from allergies, said he woke up at night because his face, ears and neck burnt.

"I might have been poisoned," he said he thought at the time.&nbsp;

When he woke up Sunday morning his face was swollen and his eyelids "the size of ping pong balls", he said.

The swelling subsided after he was treated with steroids in hospital and he now looks like someone "who has been drinking for a week," he said.

He ruled out any foul play by local police, saying they themselves have been "shocked" by his appearance, but suggested that someone might have entered his cell when he was not there.

Earlier on Monday his lawyer Olga Mikhailova told reporters: "It is indeed poisoning by some unknown chemical substance."

The opposition politician's physician Anastasia Vasilyeva slammed doctors for sending him back to the jail despite needing to continue treatment.

"Alexei has been clearly sent back to the detention centre on orders from above," she said.

Vasilyeva accused the hospital doctors of not wanting to find out what caused Navalny's condition.&nbsp;

She said his health was in danger in prison and warned that his cell could be contaminated.

Vasilyeva, an ophthalmologist, previously treated Navalny after he nearly lost the sight in one eye following an attack in 2017.

- 'Rotten system' -

The Russian opposition leader is serving a 30-day jail sentence for calling a rally after authorities blocked prominent independent candidates from taking part in upcoming Moscow parliament elections in September.

Ahead of the rally, police detained a number of popular opposition politicians who have fought to get on the ballot.

They included the director of Navalny's Anti-Corruption Fund, Ivan Zhdanov -- who was sentenced to 15 days in jail on Monday -- and prominent opposition politician and another would-be candidate Ilya Yashin who was jailed for 10 days, also Monday.

"I am not afraid of your rotten system, your arrests or your detention centres," Yashin said in court, according to an account that he published on social media.

Despite the crackdown, thousands of protesters -- many in their 20s and early 30s -- turned up on Saturday in central Moscow to demonstrate over the blocking of opposition candidates and to urge the authorities to open up the tightly-controlled system.

Police beat up protesters with batons and indiscriminately arrested people including the elderly and passers-by.&nbsp;

As riot police assaulted the peaceful protesters, Putin dived to the bottom of the Gulf of Finland aboard a submersible.

On social media, Russians seethed with anger over the brutality of police tactics, sharing stories of injuries and detentions.

Liberal Russian media estimated the rally turnout was up to 15,000 people.&nbsp;

While the Kremlin scrambled to contain the fallout, Germany slammed "the disproportionately tough police action" and urged the detained protesters' release.

France expressed concern over the recent developments in Russia, noting the "sudden deterioration" of Navalny's health.

The opposition has called for a new protest on Saturday.

- Activists 'banged up' -&nbsp;

The Bell, a respected Russian-language online publication, said the Kremlin had underestimated Muscovites' anger and readiness to protest.

"Now we'll have to think what to do with all of this," it quoted a Kremlin source as saying.

A person familiar with the Kremlin thinking told the Bell that the most prominent activists would be "banged up", while the rest would be intimidated into no longer protesting.

More than 21,000 people signed a petition calling on Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin to resign. 
&nbsp;

Russia's jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny said Monday he might have been "poisoned" in his prison cell amid a crackdown on anti-Kremlin protesters. Navalny, who has been in jail since last week for calling an unauthorised rally, released a picture of himself in hospital with his face puffy, especially around the eyes.

Russia's jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny said Monday he might have been "poisoned" in his prison cell amid a crackdown on anti-Kremlin protesters. Navalny, who has been in jail since last week for calling an unauthorised rally, released a picture of himself in hospital with his face puffy, especially around the eyes. His lawyer and personal physician earlier said that Navalny, President Vladimir Putin's top opponent, was exposed to an unidentified toxic substance and that doctors had sent him back to jail despite his condition. The 43-year-old lawyer was rushed to hospital from jail on Sunday, a day after nearly 1,400 people were arrested at an unauthorised protest -- the largest police crackdown on dissent in recent years. Writing on his blog, Navalny, who has never suffered from allergies, said he woke up at night because his face, ears and neck burnt. "I might have been poisoned," he said he thought at the time. When he woke up Sunday morning his face was swollen and his eyelids "the size of ping pong balls", he said. The swelling subsided after he was treated with steroids in hospital and he now looks like someone "who has been drinking for a week," he said. He ruled out any foul play by local police, saying they themselves have been "shocked" by his appearance, but suggested that someone might have entered his cell when he was not there. Earlier on Monday his lawyer Olga Mikhailova told reporters: "It is indeed poisoning by some unknown chemical substance." The opposition politician's physician Anastasia Vasilyeva slammed doctors for sending him back to the jail despite needing to continue treatment. "Alexei has been clearly sent back to the detention centre on orders from above," she said. Vasilyeva accused the hospital doctors of not wanting to find out what caused Navalny's condition. She said his health was in danger in prison and warned that his cell could be contaminated. Vasilyeva, an ophthalmologist, previously treated Navalny after he nearly lost the sight in one eye following an attack in 2017. - 'Rotten system' - The Russian opposition leader is serving a 30-day jail sentence for calling a rally after authorities blocked prominent independent candidates from taking part in upcoming Moscow parliament elections in September. Ahead of the rally, police detained a number of popular opposition politicians who have fought to get on the ballot. They included the director of Navalny's Anti-Corruption Fund, Ivan Zhdanov -- who was sentenced to 15 days in jail on Monday -- and prominent opposition politician and another would-be candidate Ilya Yashin who was jailed for 10 days, also Monday. "I am not afraid of your rotten system, your arrests or your detention centres," Yashin said in court, according to an account that he published on social media. Despite the crackdown, thousands of protesters -- many in their 20s and early 30s -- turned up on Saturday in central Moscow to demonstrate over the blocking of opposition candidates and to urge the authorities to open up the tightly-controlled system. Police beat up protesters with batons and indiscriminately arrested people including the elderly and passers-by. As riot police assaulted the peaceful protesters, Putin dived to the bottom of the Gulf of Finland aboard a submersible. On social media, Russians seethed with anger over the brutality of police tactics, sharing stories of injuries and detentions. Liberal Russian media estimated the rally turnout was up to 15,000 people. While the Kremlin scrambled to contain the fallout, Germany slammed "the disproportionately tough police action" and urged the detained protesters' release. France expressed concern over the recent developments in Russia, noting the "sudden deterioration" of Navalny's health. The opposition has called for a new protest on Saturday. - Activists 'banged up' - The Bell, a respected Russian-language online publication, said the Kremlin had underestimated Muscovites' anger and readiness to protest. "Now we'll have to think what to do with all of this," it quoted a Kremlin source as saying. A person familiar with the Kremlin thinking told the Bell that the most prominent activists would be "banged up", while the rest would be intimidated into no longer protesting. More than 21,000 people signed a petition calling on Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin to resign.

I might have been poisoned: Vladimir Putin's opponent Alexei Navalny 

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dozens-arrested-at-moscow-protest-after-opposition-crackdown-238830">Russian police arrested</a> more than 500 people on Saturday, including prominent activists, around a political protest in Moscow to demand that<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-opposition-plans-protest-demanding-fair-elections-despite-arrests-238824"> members of the opposition</a> be allowed to run in a local election later this year.

The protest, which authorities declared illegal beforehand, did not represent a major challenge to President Vladimir Putin and his allies who have the resources to break up such demonstrations and jail people.

With several thousand people present, however, it showed how many activists and especially younger people are unafraid to challenge authorities on the streets and intend to keep pressing for the Kremlin to open up Russia's tightly-choreographed political system to competition.

Chants of "Russia without Putin" and "Putin resign" echoed through central Moscow as guardsmen clad in riot gear beat back protesters with batons and roughly detained people.

At least one woman appeared to suffered serious head wounds.

Jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny had called for the protest, near the Moscow mayor's office, to persuade authorities to allow opposition-minded candidates to run in a Sept. 8 vote in Moscow, which they have been barred from.

The opposition has no seats in parliament and is starved of air time on state TV where many Russians still get their news.

Opinion polls in the past have shown support for Navalny, a lawyer and anti-corruption activist, only in the single digits. But backers note he won almost a third of the vote in a 2013 Moscow mayoral race and say his movement could build momentum in the Russian capital if allowed to compete fairly.

Though Putin's approval rating is still high at well over 60 per cent, it is lower than it used to be due to discontent over years of falling incomes. Last year, the 66-year-old former KGB intelligence officer won a landslide re-election and a new six-year term until 2024.

Burnishing his man of action image, Putin spent Saturday diving to the bottom of the Gulf of Finland in a mini-submarine to pay tribute to a Soviet submarine that sunk there during World War Two.

Authorities say the Moscow local election candidates were prohibited from running because they had failed to collect a sufficient number of genuine signatures in their support, an allegation the opposition rejects as false.

OVD-Info, an independent monitoring group, said police had detained at least 520 people before or at Saturday's protest. In the past many of those taken into custody have often been released later on the same day.

Police put participation at more than 3,500 people, of whom it said around 700 people were journalists and bloggers.

Arrests and home searches

Reuters witnesses said some of those detained appeared to be ordinary passersby in the wrong place at the wrong time.

One of those detained, Alexander Latyshev, 45, said he had came from the nearby Vladimir region to discuss business with an associate and been randomly detained. "I was just sitting on a bench (when they took me)," he told Reuters inside a police bus.

Before the protest, police detained activists to prevent them from attending the protest and blocked off some streets.

During the demonstration, they raided an office being used by Navalny's supporters to live-stream the protest.

Under Russian law, the location and timing of such protests needs to be agreed with authorities beforehand, something that was not done in this case.

Kremlin critic Navalny was jailed for 30 days on Wednesday and other members of the opposition have had their homes searched. Ilya Yashin, a Navalny ally, said on Facebook on Saturday that police had searched his Moscow flat overnight before detaining him and driving him out of the Russian capital.

Kira Yarmysh, Navalny's spokeswoman, said on Twitter she and another activist had been detained on Saturday morning. Other prominent activists, Dmitry Gudkov and Lyubov Sobol, were detained later.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, a Putin ally, had warned beforehand that authorities would act decisively against the risk of "serious provocations".

"Order in the city will be maintained," he said.

Russia's Investigative Committee, the police's investigative arm, has already opened a criminal investigation into an opposition rally in June which it said may have obstructed the work of Moscow's electoral commission.

An authorised protest in Moscow last weekend calling for the disbarred candidates to be registered was attended by more than 20,000 people, according to the White Counter monitoring group.

Russian police arrested more than 500 people on Saturday, including prominent activists, around a political protest in Moscow to demand that members of the opposition be allowed to run in a local election later this year.

Russian police arrested more than 500 people on Saturday, including prominent activists, around a political protest in Moscow to demand that members of the opposition be allowed to run in a local election later this year. The protest, which authorities declared illegal beforehand, did not represent a major challenge to President Vladimir Putin and his allies who have the resources to break up such demonstrations and jail people. With several thousand people present, however, it showed how many activists and especially younger people are unafraid to challenge authorities on the streets and intend to keep pressing for the Kremlin to open up Russia's tightly-choreographed political system to competition. Chants of "Russia without Putin" and "Putin resign" echoed through central Moscow as guardsmen clad in riot gear beat back protesters with batons and roughly detained people. At least one woman appeared to suffered serious head wounds. Jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny had called for the protest, near the Moscow mayor's office, to persuade authorities to allow opposition-minded candidates to run in a Sept. 8 vote in Moscow, which they have been barred from. The opposition has no seats in parliament and is starved of air time on state TV where many Russians still get their news. Opinion polls in the past have shown support for Navalny, a lawyer and anti-corruption activist, only in the single digits. But backers note he won almost a third of the vote in a 2013 Moscow mayoral race and say his movement could build momentum in the Russian capital if allowed to compete fairly. Though Putin's approval rating is still high at well over 60 per cent, it is lower than it used to be due to discontent over years of falling incomes. Last year, the 66-year-old former KGB intelligence officer won a landslide re-election and a new six-year term until 2024. Burnishing his man of action image, Putin spent Saturday diving to the bottom of the Gulf of Finland in a mini-submarine to pay tribute to a Soviet submarine that sunk there during World War Two. Authorities say the Moscow local election candidates were prohibited from running because they had failed to collect a sufficient number of genuine signatures in their support, an allegation the opposition rejects as false. OVD-Info, an independent monitoring group, said police had detained at least 520 people before or at Saturday's protest. In the past many of those taken into custody have often been released later on the same day. Police put participation at more than 3,500 people, of whom it said around 700 people were journalists and bloggers. Arrests and home searches Reuters witnesses said some of those detained appeared to be ordinary passersby in the wrong place at the wrong time. One of those detained, Alexander Latyshev, 45, said he had came from the nearby Vladimir region to discuss business with an associate and been randomly detained. "I was just sitting on a bench (when they took me)," he told Reuters inside a police bus. Before the protest, police detained activists to prevent them from attending the protest and blocked off some streets. During the demonstration, they raided an office being used by Navalny's supporters to live-stream the protest. Under Russian law, the location and timing of such protests needs to be agreed with authorities beforehand, something that was not done in this case. Kremlin critic Navalny was jailed for 30 days on Wednesday and other members of the opposition have had their homes searched. Ilya Yashin, a Navalny ally, said on Facebook on Saturday that police had searched his Moscow flat overnight before detaining him and driving him out of the Russian capital. Kira Yarmysh, Navalny's spokeswoman, said on Twitter she and another activist had been detained on Saturday morning. Other prominent activists, Dmitry Gudkov and Lyubov Sobol, were detained later. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, a Putin ally, had warned beforehand that authorities would act decisively against the risk of "serious provocations". "Order in the city will be maintained," he said. Russia's Investigative Committee, the police's investigative arm, has already opened a criminal investigation into an opposition rally in June which it said may have obstructed the work of Moscow's electoral commission. An authorised protest in Moscow last weekend calling for the disbarred candidates to be registered was attended by more than 20,000 people, according to the White Counter monitoring group.

Russia detains more than 500 people over election protest

Thousands of Russians say they will take to the streets of Moscow on Saturday to demand fair local elections, despite a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-police-detain-at-least-94-including-opposition-leader-alexei-navalny-at-moscow-journalist-protest-226536">police crackdown on the opposition </a>that has seen top Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny jailed.

The planned rally is the latest in a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-over-20000-rally-in-moscow-as-election-anger-boils-over-237366">series of protests</a> over authorities' refusal to allow dozens of opposition candidates to stand for election to Moscow's city council in September.

Local polls are a rare opportunity for dissenting voices to participate in political life as anti-Kremlin parties have been squeezed out of parliament over President Vladimir Putin's 20 years in power.

Investigators raided the homes and headquarters of several disqualified candidates in the run-up to the protest, while Navalny was jailed for 30 days for calling for the demonstration.&nbsp;

Security was tight in central Moscow on Saturday and six people were arrested in front of city hall hours before the protest started, according to OVD-Info, which monitors arrests during demonstrations.

Politician and would-be candidate Dmitry Gudkov, whose home was raided on Wednesday, said the future of the country was at stake.

"If we lose now, elections will cease to exist as a political instrument," he said.&nbsp;

"What we're talking about is whether it's legal to participate in politics today in Russia, we're talking about the country we're going to live in."

Navalny ally Ivan Zhdanov said on Twitter he had been arrested shortly ahead of the demonstration on Saturday.&nbsp;

Barred candidate Ilya Yashin said in the early hours of Saturday morning he had also been arrested following a raid on his home.

'Security threat'

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobaynin called the unauthorised protest a "security threat", adding that "order will be ensured according to the relevant laws".&nbsp;

Officials told Russia's TASS news agency they would be looking for people who had avoided military service at the rally.&nbsp;

Last weekend 22,000 people turned up for a protest in Moscow, the largest such demonstration in years, after election authorities refused to register dozens of candidates.

A handful of people were detained at that protest, though hundreds were arrested last month at a demonstration in Moscow against police abuses.

While pro-Kremlin candidates enjoy the support of the state, independent candidates say they have been made to jump through countless hoops in order to get on the ballot.

Rejected candidate Lyubov Sobol this week launched a hunger strike in protest.&nbsp;

On Thursday, the 31-year-old demanded officials review her documents and came to the offices of the Moscow election commission to continue her strike.

But security agents took her out of the building on the sofa she was sitting on.

After activists and ordinary Muscovites staged pickets, including outside the local election commission building, investigators said they were launching a criminal probe into obstructing the work of election officials.&nbsp;

If found guilty, organisers risk up to five years in prison.

'Absurdities become norm'

Ahead of Saturday's rally, Russian business daily Vedomosti described the actions of local authorities as Orwellian.

"Over the past days, absurdities have become the norm," the newspaper said.

Nearly 11,000 people indicated interest in the rally on Facebook, which comes amid declining living standards and falling approval ratings for Putin.

Police asked media to notify the authorities if they planned to cover the protest and urged Russians to skip the rally altogether.

Viktoria Popova, a 30-year-old illustrator, said she could not miss it.&nbsp;

"It is impossible not to come, it's impossible to feel powerless, unable to change anything," she told AFP.

"Who would have thought it would become important to take part in such a bizarre and boring affair as the Moscow parliament election?"

Thousands of Russians say they will take to the streets of Moscow on Saturday to demand fair local elections, despite a police crackdown on the opposition that has seen top Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny jailed.

Thousands of Russians say they will take to the streets of Moscow on Saturday to demand fair local elections, despite a police crackdown on the opposition that has seen top Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny jailed. The planned rally is the latest in a series of protests over authorities' refusal to allow dozens of opposition candidates to stand for election to Moscow's city council in September. Local polls are a rare opportunity for dissenting voices to participate in political life as anti-Kremlin parties have been squeezed out of parliament over President Vladimir Putin's 20 years in power. Investigators raided the homes and headquarters of several disqualified candidates in the run-up to the protest, while Navalny was jailed for 30 days for calling for the demonstration. Security was tight in central Moscow on Saturday and six people were arrested in front of city hall hours before the protest started, according to OVD-Info, which monitors arrests during demonstrations. Politician and would-be candidate Dmitry Gudkov, whose home was raided on Wednesday, said the future of the country was at stake. "If we lose now, elections will cease to exist as a political instrument," he said. "What we're talking about is whether it's legal to participate in politics today in Russia, we're talking about the country we're going to live in." Navalny ally Ivan Zhdanov said on Twitter he had been arrested shortly ahead of the demonstration on Saturday. Barred candidate Ilya Yashin said in the early hours of Saturday morning he had also been arrested following a raid on his home. 'Security threat' Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobaynin called the unauthorised protest a "security threat", adding that "order will be ensured according to the relevant laws". Officials told Russia's TASS news agency they would be looking for people who had avoided military service at the rally. Last weekend 22,000 people turned up for a protest in Moscow, the largest such demonstration in years, after election authorities refused to register dozens of candidates. A handful of people were detained at that protest, though hundreds were arrested last month at a demonstration in Moscow against police abuses. While pro-Kremlin candidates enjoy the support of the state, independent candidates say they have been made to jump through countless hoops in order to get on the ballot. Rejected candidate Lyubov Sobol this week launched a hunger strike in protest. On Thursday, the 31-year-old demanded officials review her documents and came to the offices of the Moscow election commission to continue her strike. But security agents took her out of the building on the sofa she was sitting on. After activists and ordinary Muscovites staged pickets, including outside the local election commission building, investigators said they were launching a criminal probe into obstructing the work of election officials. If found guilty, organisers risk up to five years in prison. 'Absurdities become norm' Ahead of Saturday's rally, Russian business daily Vedomosti described the actions of local authorities as Orwellian. "Over the past days, absurdities have become the norm," the newspaper said. Nearly 11,000 people indicated interest in the rally on Facebook, which comes amid declining living standards and falling approval ratings for Putin. Police asked media to notify the authorities if they planned to cover the protest and urged Russians to skip the rally altogether. Viktoria Popova, a 30-year-old illustrator, said she could not miss it. "It is impossible not to come, it's impossible to feel powerless, unable to change anything," she told AFP. "Who would have thought it would become important to take part in such a bizarre and boring affair as the Moscow parliament election?"

Russian opposition plans protest demanding fair elections despite arrests

Russian opposition leaders led a rally in Moscow of about 2,000 people Sunday to protest the city election commission’s decision to keep several opposition candidates off the ballot in a local election. Watch full video to know more.

Protesters in Moscow demand inclusion of Opposition candidates on ballots

Vladimir Putin won Russia&#39;s presidential election on Sunday with 76.67 per cent of the vote, according to an official exit poll, with the opposition reporting ballot stuffing and other cases of alleged fraud.

Putin, who has ruled Russia for almost two decades, stood against seven other candidates, but his most vocal critic Alexei Navalny was barred from the ballot for legal reasons and the final outcome was never in doubt.

The Kremlin was hoping for high voter numbers to give greater legitimacy to Putin&#39;s historic fourth term as Russia faces increasing isolation on the world stage over a spy poisoning in Britain and a fresh round of US sanctions.

About 107 million Russians were eligible to cast ballots and the central election commission said turnout was 60 per cent, after the authorities used both the carrot and the stick to boost participation.

Selfie competitions, giveaways, food festivals and children&#39;s entertainers were laid on at polling booths in a bid to create a festive atmosphere around the election.

But employees of state and private companies reported coming under pressure to vote, while students were threatened with problems in their exams or even expulsion if they did not take part, according to the opposition-leaning Novaya Gazeta newspaper.

The exit poll by state-owned pollster VTsIOM at 1,200 voting stations around Russia projected that Putin had won 76.67&nbsp;per cent of the vote, up from 64 per cent six years ago.

Communist candidate Pavel Grudinin performed better than expected, with 11.2 per cent according to the exit poll, but the results of all other candidates including former reality TV host Ksenia Sobchak were forecast to be in single figures.

Putin&#39;s thumping victory will extend his total time in office to nearly a quarter of a century, until 2024, by which time he will be 71. Only Soviet dictator Josef Stalin ruled for longer.

Putin has promised to use his new term to beef up Russia&#39;s defences against the West and to raise living standards.

Navalny -- who called on his supporters to boycott the &quot;fake&quot; vote and sent over 33,000 observers across the country to see how official turnout figures differed from those of monitors -- said there had been &quot;unprecedented violations&quot;.

His lawyer Ivan Zhdanov said the actual national turnout at 1700 GMT, when polls closed in Moscow, was 55 per cent, according to data collected by monitors.

Navalny&#39;s opposition movement and the non-governmental election monitor Golos reported ballot stuffing, repeat voting and Putin supporters being bussed into polling stations en masse.&nbsp;

One election commission worker in the republic of Dagestan, which traditionally registers extremely high official turnout figures, told AFP around 50 men entered the station where he was working and physically assaulted an observer before stuffing a ballot box.

But the electoral commission dismissed most concerns, saying monitors sometimes misinterpret what they see.

Since first being elected president in 2000, Putin has stamped his total authority on the world&#39;s biggest country, muzzling opposition, putting television under state control and reasserting Moscow&#39;s standing abroad.&nbsp;

The 65-year-old former KGB officer used an otherwise lacklustre presidential campaign to emphasise Russia&#39;s role as a major world power, boasting of its &quot;invincible&quot; new nuclear weapons in a pre-election speech.

Casting his ballot in Moscow, Putin said he would be pleased with any result giving him the right to continue as president.

&quot;I am sure the programme I am offering is the right one,&quot; said the man who is already Russia&#39;s longest-serving leader since Stalin.

Most people who spoke to AFP said they voted for Putin, praising him for restoring stability and national pride after the humiliating collapse of the USSR.

&quot;Of course I&#39;m for Putin, he&#39;s a leader,&quot; said Olga Matyunina, a 65-year-old retired economist.

&quot;After he brought Crimea back, he became a hero to me.&quot;

Sunday marks four years since Putin signed a treaty declaring Crimea to be part of Russia in a move that triggered a pro-Kremlin insurgency in east Ukraine, a conflict that has claimed over 10,000 lives.

Ahead of the vote, a new crisis broke out with the West as Britain implicated Putin in the poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal with a Soviet-designed nerve agent.

In response, London expelled 23 Russian diplomats, prompting a tit-for-tat move by Moscow. Also this week, Washington hit Russia with sanctions for trying to influence the 2016 US election.&nbsp;

Putin&#39;s previous Kremlin term was marked by a crackdown on the opposition after huge protests, the Ukraine conflict, military intervention in Syria and the introduction of Western sanctions that contributed to a fall in living standards.

The president has said he will use his fourth term to address a litany of domestic problems including widespread poverty and poor healthcare.

Ahead of the election, state-run pollsters had predicted Putin would take about 70 perc ent of the vote, with the independent Levada Centre -- branded a &quot;foreign agent&quot; -- barred from releasing any polls.

&quot;Another six years of slavery,&quot; said a piece of paper made up to look like a ballot which was spotted on a Moscow street -- in an apparent reference to Putin&#39;s next term.&nbsp;

Election officials flew to far-flung regions to collect votes from indigenous herders, while cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov -- the only Russian currently aboard the International Space Station -- cast his ballot by proxy.

&nbsp;

The exit poll from 1,200 polling stations around Russia gave second place to Communist candidate Pavel Grudinin with 11.2 per cent

Vladimir Putin won Russia's presidential election on Sunday with 76.67 per cent of the vote, according to an official exit poll, with the opposition reporting ballot stuffing and other cases of alleged fraud. Putin, who has ruled Russia for almost two decades, stood against seven other candidates, but his most vocal critic Alexei Navalny was barred from the ballot for legal reasons and the final outcome was never in doubt. The Kremlin was hoping for high voter numbers to give greater legitimacy to Putin's historic fourth term as Russia faces increasing isolation on the world stage over a spy poisoning in Britain and a fresh round of US sanctions. About 107 million Russians were eligible to cast ballots and the central election commission said turnout was 60 per cent, after the authorities used both the carrot and the stick to boost participation. Selfie competitions, giveaways, food festivals and children's entertainers were laid on at polling booths in a bid to create a festive atmosphere around the election. But employees of state and private companies reported coming under pressure to vote, while students were threatened with problems in their exams or even expulsion if they did not take part, according to the opposition-leaning Novaya Gazeta newspaper. The exit poll by state-owned pollster VTsIOM at 1,200 voting stations around Russia projected that Putin had won 76.67 per cent of the vote, up from 64 per cent six years ago. Communist candidate Pavel Grudinin performed better than expected, with 11.2 per cent according to the exit poll, but the results of all other candidates including former reality TV host Ksenia Sobchak were forecast to be in single figures. Putin's thumping victory will extend his total time in office to nearly a quarter of a century, until 2024, by which time he will be 71. Only Soviet dictator Josef Stalin ruled for longer. Putin has promised to use his new term to beef up Russia's defences against the West and to raise living standards. Navalny -- who called on his supporters to boycott the "fake" vote and sent over 33,000 observers across the country to see how official turnout figures differed from those of monitors -- said there had been "unprecedented violations". His lawyer Ivan Zhdanov said the actual national turnout at 1700 GMT, when polls closed in Moscow, was 55 per cent, according to data collected by monitors. Navalny's opposition movement and the non-governmental election monitor Golos reported ballot stuffing, repeat voting and Putin supporters being bussed into polling stations en masse. One election commission worker in the republic of Dagestan, which traditionally registers extremely high official turnout figures, told AFP around 50 men entered the station where he was working and physically assaulted an observer before stuffing a ballot box. But the electoral commission dismissed most concerns, saying monitors sometimes misinterpret what they see. Since first being elected president in 2000, Putin has stamped his total authority on the world's biggest country, muzzling opposition, putting television under state control and reasserting Moscow's standing abroad. The 65-year-old former KGB officer used an otherwise lacklustre presidential campaign to emphasise Russia's role as a major world power, boasting of its "invincible" new nuclear weapons in a pre-election speech. Casting his ballot in Moscow, Putin said he would be pleased with any result giving him the right to continue as president. "I am sure the programme I am offering is the right one," said the man who is already Russia's longest-serving leader since Stalin. Most people who spoke to AFP said they voted for Putin, praising him for restoring stability and national pride after the humiliating collapse of the USSR. "Of course I'm for Putin, he's a leader," said Olga Matyunina, a 65-year-old retired economist. "After he brought Crimea back, he became a hero to me." Sunday marks four years since Putin signed a treaty declaring Crimea to be part of Russia in a move that triggered a pro-Kremlin insurgency in east Ukraine, a conflict that has claimed over 10,000 lives. Ahead of the vote, a new crisis broke out with the West as Britain implicated Putin in the poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal with a Soviet-designed nerve agent. In response, London expelled 23 Russian diplomats, prompting a tit-for-tat move by Moscow. Also this week, Washington hit Russia with sanctions for trying to influence the 2016 US election. Putin's previous Kremlin term was marked by a crackdown on the opposition after huge protests, the Ukraine conflict, military intervention in Syria and the introduction of Western sanctions that contributed to a fall in living standards. The president has said he will use his fourth term to address a litany of domestic problems including widespread poverty and poor healthcare. Ahead of the election, state-run pollsters had predicted Putin would take about 70 perc ent of the vote, with the independent Levada Centre -- branded a "foreign agent" -- barred from releasing any polls. "Another six years of slavery," said a piece of paper made up to look like a ballot which was spotted on a Moscow street -- in an apparent reference to Putin's next term. Election officials flew to far-flung regions to collect votes from indigenous herders, while cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov -- the only Russian currently aboard the International Space Station -- cast his ballot by proxy.

Russia elections: Putin wins fourth term with 76.67% of vote

A KGB officer turned world leader, Vladimir Putin <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/putin-wins-fourth-term-with-739-of-vote-36284" target="_blank">stamped his total authority on Russia</a>, silencing opposition and reasserting Moscow`s lost might abroad while building a strongman image through macho stunts.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/vladimir-putin-a-brief-profile-of-the-russian-president-728" target="_blank">Vladimir Putin: A brief profile of the Russian president</a>

Putin, 65, who extended his long rule to 2024 in Russia`s presidential election on Sunday, has reimposed the Kremlin`s grip on society since taking power 18 years ago after a lawless but relatively free decade following the demise of the USSR.

On the international stage, he dealt with three US presidents, thrusting Moscow into a new rivalry with the West by snatching Crimea from Ukraine and launching a pivotal intervention in Syria.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/russian-president-vladimir-putin-in-10-dates-35556" target="_blank">10 key dates in Vladimir Putin&#39;s political journey</a>

Named the world`s most powerful person by Forbes for the past four years running, the judo black belt carefully nurtured his image as a powerful leader with photo opportunities showing him riding topless on horseback in the Siberian wilderness and darting an endangered tiger.

Supporters laud him as a saviour who restored pride and traditional values to a humiliated nation.

To foes, however, Putin has dragged his homeland further from democracy, presided over a seizure of the state by a new elite of former secret police cronies and stoked nationalism in a bid to restore Moscow`s lost empire.

Putin was born into a working-class family in Leningrad -- now Saint Petersburg -- on October 7, 1952, and cut his teeth in the city`s rough-and-tumble neighbourhoods.

&quot;The Leningrad streets taught me one thing: if a fight is unavoidable, you have to hit first,&quot; Putin said in 2015.

He fulfilled a childhood dream by joining the KGB intelligence service, getting posted in 1985-1990 to Dresden in what was then East Germany when Soviet power was crumbling.

His political rise began after he returned to work at Saint Petersburg city hall under his mentor, liberal mayor Anatoly Sobchak.&nbsp;

Two decades later, Sobchak`s daughter Ksenia is challenging Putin in the election -- a move that has divided Russia`s already deeply split liberal opposition.

By 1996, he was called to Moscow to work in the Kremlin under Russia`s first democratically elected president Boris Yeltsin, who in 1998 made little-known Putin head of the KGB`s successor, the FSB.

Battling health and drinking problems, frail Yeltsin in August 1999 named Putin prime minister and his popularity shot up as he oversaw the launch of a second war to crush rebels in the Chechnya region.&nbsp;

When Yeltsin sensationally resigned on New Year`s Eve 1999, Putin suddenly took over as president of the biggest country on Earth.

Buoyed by an influx of petrodollars that saw living standards soar, the Kremlin under Putin forged its own &quot;sovereign democracy&quot; in which the trappings of pluralism -- such as political opposition and civil society -- were subverted.

He has guarded his private life jealously and once famously told journalists to keep their &quot;snotty noses&quot; out of his business.&nbsp;

After three decades of marriage, he divorced his wife Lyudmila in 2013 but rumours of new romance -- including with a former Olympic gymnast -- have not been confirmed.

In line with the constitution, when Putin ended his second term in 2008, he handed power to protege Dmitry Medvedev and moved to become prime minister -- but few doubted who was really in charge.&nbsp;

In 2012, he returned as president in the face of huge street protests.

While the demonstrations petered out after a police crackdown, the spectre of unrest spurred tough new measures to eradicate dissent.Putin, who once decried the collapse of the USSR as the &quot;greatest geopolitical catastrophe&quot; of the 20th century, has ferociously defended Moscow`s sphere of influence and also challenged perceived US hegemony.

When crowds in Ukraine ousted Russia-backed leader Viktor Yanukovych in February 2014, the Kremlin faced losing its dominance over a key neighbour.

Within days, Putin ordered special forces to seize the strategic Crimea peninsula and -- after a hasty referendum rejected internationally -- in March 2014 signed off on the region`s annexation.&nbsp;

The redrawing of Russia`s border sparked the worst standoff with the West since the Cold War and unleashed a wave of nationalism at home that saw Putin`s popularity soar.&nbsp;

Soon the Kremlin was accused of masterminding a rebellion in east Ukraine that turned into a festering conflict that has cost more than 10,000 lives.

Despite sanctions pushing his economy into recession, Putin also launched a bombing campaign in Syria to support leader Bashar al-Assad in 2015. It is widely seen as the key factor that tipped the war in Assad`s favour.

Putin was then accused of spreading his tentacles much further and Moscow`s old foe -- the United States -- found itself in the crosshairs.&nbsp;

After Donald Trump`s shock election win, US intelligence accused Putin of ordering a hacking and influence campaign to get Trump to the White House.

&quot;Those that lose always look to blame someone else,&quot; Putin retorted.&nbsp;

Putin, 65, who extended his long rule to 2024 in Russia`s presidential election on Sunday, has reimposed the Kremlin`s grip on society since taking power 18 years ago after a lawless but relatively free decade following the demise of the USSR

A KGB officer turned world leader, Vladimir Putin stamped his total authority on Russia, silencing opposition and reasserting Moscow`s lost might abroad while building a strongman image through macho stunts. Also read: Vladimir Putin: A brief profile of the Russian president Putin, 65, who extended his long rule to 2024 in Russia`s presidential election on Sunday, has reimposed the Kremlin`s grip on society since taking power 18 years ago after a lawless but relatively free decade following the demise of the USSR. On the international stage, he dealt with three US presidents, thrusting Moscow into a new rivalry with the West by snatching Crimea from Ukraine and launching a pivotal intervention in Syria. Also read: 10 key dates in Vladimir Putin's political journey Named the world`s most powerful person by Forbes for the past four years running, the judo black belt carefully nurtured his image as a powerful leader with photo opportunities showing him riding topless on horseback in the Siberian wilderness and darting an endangered tiger. Supporters laud him as a saviour who restored pride and traditional values to a humiliated nation. To foes, however, Putin has dragged his homeland further from democracy, presided over a seizure of the state by a new elite of former secret police cronies and stoked nationalism in a bid to restore Moscow`s lost empire. Putin was born into a working-class family in Leningrad -- now Saint Petersburg -- on October 7, 1952, and cut his teeth in the city`s rough-and-tumble neighbourhoods. "The Leningrad streets taught me one thing: if a fight is unavoidable, you have to hit first," Putin said in 2015. He fulfilled a childhood dream by joining the KGB intelligence service, getting posted in 1985-1990 to Dresden in what was then East Germany when Soviet power was crumbling. His political rise began after he returned to work at Saint Petersburg city hall under his mentor, liberal mayor Anatoly Sobchak. Two decades later, Sobchak`s daughter Ksenia is challenging Putin in the election -- a move that has divided Russia`s already deeply split liberal opposition. By 1996, he was called to Moscow to work in the Kremlin under Russia`s first democratically elected president Boris Yeltsin, who in 1998 made little-known Putin head of the KGB`s successor, the FSB. Battling health and drinking problems, frail Yeltsin in August 1999 named Putin prime minister and his popularity shot up as he oversaw the launch of a second war to crush rebels in the Chechnya region. When Yeltsin sensationally resigned on New Year`s Eve 1999, Putin suddenly took over as president of the biggest country on Earth. Buoyed by an influx of petrodollars that saw living standards soar, the Kremlin under Putin forged its own "sovereign democracy" in which the trappings of pluralism -- such as political opposition and civil society -- were subverted. He has guarded his private life jealously and once famously told journalists to keep their "snotty noses" out of his business. After three decades of marriage, he divorced his wife Lyudmila in 2013 but rumours of new romance -- including with a former Olympic gymnast -- have not been confirmed. In line with the constitution, when Putin ended his second term in 2008, he handed power to protege Dmitry Medvedev and moved to become prime minister -- but few doubted who was really in charge. In 2012, he returned as president in the face of huge street protests. While the demonstrations petered out after a police crackdown, the spectre of unrest spurred tough new measures to eradicate dissent.Putin, who once decried the collapse of the USSR as the "greatest geopolitical catastrophe" of the 20th century, has ferociously defended Moscow`s sphere of influence and also challenged perceived US hegemony. When crowds in Ukraine ousted Russia-backed leader Viktor Yanukovych in February 2014, the Kremlin faced losing its dominance over a key neighbour. Within days, Putin ordered special forces to seize the strategic Crimea peninsula and -- after a hasty referendum rejected internationally -- in March 2014 signed off on the region`s annexation. The redrawing of Russia`s border sparked the worst standoff with the West since the Cold War and unleashed a wave of nationalism at home that saw Putin`s popularity soar. Soon the Kremlin was accused of masterminding a rebellion in east Ukraine that turned into a festering conflict that has cost more than 10,000 lives. Despite sanctions pushing his economy into recession, Putin also launched a bombing campaign in Syria to support leader Bashar al-Assad in 2015. It is widely seen as the key factor that tipped the war in Assad`s favour. Putin was then accused of spreading his tentacles much further and Moscow`s old foe -- the United States -- found itself in the crosshairs. After Donald Trump`s shock election win, US intelligence accused Putin of ordering a hacking and influence campaign to get Trump to the White House. "Those that lose always look to blame someone else," Putin retorted.

Vladimir Putin: Russia's post-Soviet tsar

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