10 December 2011 Last updated at 21:51

In pictures: Russian demonstrations

Protesters march through Moscow, 10 December (image: Ridus News)

Protesters have turned out in Moscow (pictured) and towns and cities around Russia denouncing alleged fraud in last weekend's elections to the Duma or parliament. It is the strongest public show of discontent for years.

Rally against alleged election violations in the far eastern city of Vladivostok, Russia, on Saturday

Some of the first protests were in the far eastern port city of Vladivostok, and protests were also reported in towns in Siberia, the Urals, and as far west as Kaliningrad.

Opposition activists protest against alleged electoral fraud at Bolotnaya Square in central Moscow on Saturday

But the centrepiece of the day's protests was in Moscow, where protesters flooded out of metro stations and across two bridges to Bolotnaya Square - on an island just south of the Kremlin - where authorities have given the green light to a large protest.

Protesters hold a red banner as they join a mass rally to protest against alleged vote rigging in Russia's parliamentary elections in Moscow, Russia, on Saturday. The Kremlin is visible in the background

Communists joined nationalists and liberals to protest against what they say is evidence of widespread ballot-stuffing by Vladimir Putin's United Russia party in last Sunday's polls. They are calling for fresh elections - and in some cases the resignation of Mr Putin himself.

Policemen detain an activist during a rally to protest against what activists say were violations in parliamentary elections, in St Petersburg on Saturday

There were scuffles in Russia's second city, St Petersburg - where police bundled several activists away. Hundreds of people have been arrested since protests first erupted at the beginning of the week.

Members of a local anarchist movement burn flares during a sanctioned rally in Bolotnaya square, Moscow on Saturday, protesting against alleged violations in parliamentary elections

Correspondents say these highly unusual public protests may be the biggest displays of discontent since the dying days of Communist rule.

Opposition activists protest in central Moscow, on Saturday

The image of Mr Putin on this banner has been doctored to make him look older. "2050 - no!" it says. Mr Putin has decided to run for a third term as president in elections in March.

Interior Ministry officers stand guard to prevent disorder during rallies in central Moscow on Saturday

At least 50,000 police and riot troops were deployed in Moscow ahead of Saturday's protests. Here, interior ministry officers stand guard in the city centre.

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In pictures: Russian demonstrations

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