Moscow citizens protest Putin’s autocratic rule

Hundreds of Moscow citizens wearing white ribbons ventured out under a light snow yesterday and created a festive spectacle like nothing seen before in the Russian capital, forming a human chain along the entire 10-mile Garden Ring Road encircling the city centre.

They stood side by side for an hour hands clasped, chatting up motorist and waving to them as they honked in approval. They also carried signs for the benefit of those who had no clue to their purpose - the end of autocratic rule by the man expected to emerge victorious in next Sunday's presidential election, Vladimir Putin.

The chain joined in by 35,000 people recruited and organised over the internet was the fourth large anti-Kremlin action in 11 weeks, a sure sign that the middle-class Muscovite was trying out new forms of street protest against corruption and rigged elections. There are plans for another mass demonstration for the day after the vote.

However, according to political observers, such periodic peaceful actions alone would not bring Putin down, who turns a blind eye to them. Also, they add, protest leaders do not appear to have a clear strategy to ramp up the pressure. The standoff could lead to months or years of conflict after Putin, now prime minister, makes his anticipated return to the presidency for a third term.

Tens of thousands rallied in Moscow after Putin's United Russia party retained its parliamentary majority in a disputed 4 December election.

They demanded a new vote under new rules allowing easier registration for opposition parties, as they took to the streets again on 24 December and 4 February for the largest rallies in Russia in over two decades.