At least 30,000 anti-Putin demonstrators have formed a human chain in Moscow for the last big protest before next week's presidential election.
Car horns sounded their support as people wearing white flowers and ribbons held hands around the city's garden ring.
The atmosphere was high-spirited despite attempts by pro- Putin youngsters who gathered on one stretch of the 16km road to try and counter the anti-Putin movement.
They chanted: "Putin victory," and carried red hearts which read: "Putin loves everyone." Others banners read: "Putin victory in a week."
Some were clearly attempting to provoke anti-Putin demonstrators. One teenager grabbed the white ribbon of an elderly protestor and stamped it into the slush.
Away from the counter-protest, the atmosphere was jubilant and protesters smiled and waved at passing traffic. Police monitored but did not intervene.
Opposition leader Vladimir Ryzhkov told Sky News this was the last big stand before the presidential election next week.
He said: "This is one last mass action of protesters for democracy and free and honest elections - people here are against Vladimir Putin and his regime.
"We demand democracy, human rights, political competition and independent courts.
"Even if he wins next week, people will protest because they are not against the person, they are against the system - they demand a change to the system."
The presidential election will take place on Sunday March 4 with the latest independent Levada Centre poll predicting Vladimir Putin will win 66% of the vote.
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