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ALEXEI NAVALNY’S wife Yulia has joined a huge protest against Russian despot Vladimir Putin just hours before his sham election ends.
The “Noon Against Putin” demonstration was her husbands hope – that Russian people would march at midday today to boldly oppose Putin’s regime.
AFP
@Kira_Yarmysh / X
EPA
AP
AP
AFPBefore his death Navalny encouraged Russians to show up at polling stations nationwide at 12pm and spoil their ballots, or vote for another candidate, drawing attention to widespread discontent.
But after someone set off a petrol bomb at one station, and others used dye to spoil cast votes, the Kremlin warned that any gathering would be criminal and people would face consequences.
Despite this, Navalny’s team said it was a success in Russia, after thousands of people crowded outside polling stations across the country in a show of defiance.
In Russian embassies across the world, where Putin’s iron fist is weaker, people were able to rise up even more defiantly when going to vote.
They turned out in huge numbers and some brandished banners reading messages like “He is not a president & this is not an election”.
A blood-red sign in Georgia read: “Enough Putin. Lies, War, Repressions.”
In Berlin, Navalny’s beloved wife took to the streets among throngs of supporters to protest Mad Vlad’s grasp on power.
Some chanted her name, many cheered, and she paused to take pictures with people in the crowds.
Standing next to her late husband’s spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh, Yulia looked defiant as she approached the polling station.
And Kira posted footage online that showed incredibly long queues outside the Russian embassies in Germany as people gathered to protest.
Navalny, 47, died in a brutal Polar Wolf jail last month as international figures and his wife publicly blamed Putin.
In London, where more than 200 Russians are expected to protest today, people are gathering.
One 19-year-old woman said she wouldn’t go back to her home country until it is “free” from Putin.
Ivan Zhdanov, the head of Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation, said the marches displayed “another Russia” where people stand up against the tyrant.
And according to Reuters, thousands gathered to partake in the symbolic protest.
However some reports suggest those showing up at midday may have been to afraid to protest more explicitly, or may be fully in support of Vlad’s false exercise in democracy.
Some told Sky News 12pm was as good a time as any, possibly fearing arrest like those who protested at the ballots over the weekend.
Putin, 71, is almost certain to “win” the election this evening and secure another six years after almost 25 in power.
The despot has been infuriated by signs of dissent over the past two days, and around 50 were arrested across the country today.
It’s the first time Russia has had an election spreading over three days, and Putin has even shamelessly brought it to four Ukrainian regions: Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk and Luhansk.
The former KGB spy wants to show that he has the overwhelming support of Russians with the bogus vote.
It will help him justify his cruel actions in Ukraine, and concerning domestic policy as he continues to crush all dissent with an iron fist.
Putin boasted of Russian battlefield successes in the run-up to the vote, but Ukraine’s barrage of drone attacks across Russia this week suggest otherwise.
Voting is also taking place in Crimea, which Moscow took from Ukraine in 2014.
Kyiv regards the election taking place in parts of its territory controlled by Russia as illegal and void.
Reuters
AP
AFP
Reuters
A pensioner sets fire to a voting booth
Someone spoils cast ballots with green ink
One Russian woman allegedly threw a petrol bomb near a polling station
English (US)