Russian election protests in Moscow - in pictures

People gather to attend a sanctioned rally in Bolotnaya Square to protest against alleged fraud in parliamentary elections Photograph: Reuters Protesters holding a red banner reading 'Rot Front' and shouti anti-Putin slogans Photograph: Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP Opposition leader Eduard Limonov addresses the crowd during the rally Photograph: Grigory Dukor/Reuters Opposition activists protest against the alleged mass fraud in the 4 December parliamentary polls. A poster depicts Vladimir Putin and reads: "No!" Photograph: Yuri Kadobnov/AFP/Getty Images Protesters in Bolotnaya Square Photograph: Yuri Kadobnov/AFP/Getty Images Interior ministry officers stand guard Photograph: Reuters Activists in central Moscow hold posters showing Russia's president, Dmitry Medvedev, and Putin, with text that reads: "Boys, it's time to go!" Photograph: Yuri Kadobnov/AFP/Getty Images A general view of the protesters Photograph: Yuri Kadobnov/AFP/Getty Images A man scratches his eye, while Interior ministry officers stand guard Photograph: Reuters An aerial view of Bolotnaya square Photograph: Denis Sinyakov/Reuters People make their way to the demonstration through smoke from a flare Photograph: Tatyana Makeyeva/Reuters Protesters wave an old Russian flag emblazoned with the words 'We are Russians, God is with us', with the Kremlin visible in the background Photograph: Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP