It is difficult to know how many voters responded to the appeal of the Russian opposition. But on Sunday at noon, a number of opponents were seen in the polling stations.
In Russia, opponents of Vladimir Putin were invited to go massively to the polling stations this Sunday noon. A way of protesting against the organization of these elections deemed undemocratic. How many were there exactly? Difficult to know. Opponents were not allowed to demonstrate.
The Associated Press asked voters in attendance for their thoughts. Here are two testimonials from two young voters.
“I expect changes in the public life of our country“, explains Vadim. “Since I was born, I would like to see at least some of them come true”.
But for Dimitry, there is no question of change. “My feelings are: I want the continuation of politics as it is currently in our country. I am happy with everything and I want everything to continue as it is now.”
In Moscow, in the middle of a queue at a polling station, voters applauded chanting the name Boris Nadezhdine, the anti-war candidate in Ukraine who was barred from running in the presidential election.
Summary of this day? According to the Russian NGO OVD-Info, at least 65 people arrested in 16 cities when voting, like Alexander, a resident of Kazan. He was arrested for going to the polling station at midday. 20 other people were in the same situation as him. According to the 7×7 edition, Kazan detainees were quickly released without threat of immediate prosecution.
A refugee in Germany, Yulia Navalnaïa, the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexeï Navalny, was however able to participate in a demonstration against Vladimir Putin. It was in Berlin in front of the Russian embassy.