Opposition to Vladimir Putin in Russia

During a discussion held in the European Parliament, participants highlighted the alarming rise of political prisoners in Russia, surpassing even the numbers seen during the Soviet era. Bill Browder, leader of the "Magnitsky" act campaign, attributed the assassination of opposition politician Boris Nemtsov to his involvement in the campaign.

Vladimir Putin has clinched another resounding victory in the presidential election in the Russian Federation, solidifying his grip on power for the foreseeable future. With over 87 percent of the vote, according to data from the Central Election Commission, Putin's triumph ensures his presidency until at least 2030, marking a significant milestone in Russian politics.

Kremlin critics called for massive protests at Russian polling stations on Sunday for the final day of a presidential election that is guaranteed to cement Vladimir Putin's rule.

The three-day vote has already been marred by a surge in fatal Ukrainian bombardments and a series of incursions into Russian territory by pro-Ukrainian sabotage groups.

In a move to rally support for his inevitable victory in the upcoming presidential election, Russian President Vladimir Putin has called upon voters, including those in annexed regions of Ukraine, to unite in shaping Russia's future through their ballots, reported by Reuters.

Leonid Volkov, a close ally of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, was assaulted outside his home in Vilnius on Tuesday, an incident that sparked an uproar from the Lithuanian government.

Volkov vowed to continue his struggle against President Vladimir Putin in a video posted on Telegram early Wednesday after he was discharged from hospital.

Reports reveal that Olena Zelensky, wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, has declined an invitation from US First Lady Jill Biden to attend Congress during President Joe Biden's address. The decision comes amidst concerns over the potential presence of Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, at the event, stirring controversy in Ukraine.

Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of the late opposition figure Alexei Navalny, has called on Russians to participate in a nationwide protest on election day, March 17, at noon.

In a YouTube video, Navalnaya drew inspiration from the overwhelming support displayed at her husband's recent funeral, following his death in a remote penal colony on February 16.

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was laid to rest in Moscow on Friday, surrounded by crowds of mourners who chanted his name and blamed authorities for his death in prison.

Outside the cemetery where he was buried, some supporters shouted in grief while others yelled out slogans against the Kremlin and its offensive in Ukraine.

In a powerful display of solidarity and defiance, over 10,000 individuals gathered outside a church in Moscow today for the funeral of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Chanting slogans such as "Alexei" and "We are not afraid," mourners paid their respects to Navalny, who died in prison on February 16.

Hundreds of mourners gathered near a church in southern Moscow on Friday, braving the prospect of arrests to pay their respects to late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

The ceremony comes two weeks after Navalny died in an Arctic prison. His supporters accuse Russian President Vladimir Putin of murdering his top critic.