Russians Abroad Take Part in Anti-Putin Election Protest, In Pictures

Yulia Navalnaya, widow of the late Kremlin opposition leader Alexei Navalny, arrives at a rally next to the Russian embassy in Berlin, where voters lined up to cast their ballots in the Russia's presidential election on March 17, 2024.

Moscow authorities threatened criminal charges against those who take part in election-day rallies, pointing to Article 141 of the Criminal Code, the obstruction of elections or citizens' electoral rights, which is punishable by up to five years in prison.

Image: Russians in Vilnius wait outside the Russian Embassy to vote.

The Kremlin is seeking to use the presidential election to demonstrate that all Russians support Putin and the war in Ukraine.

Image: Outside the Russian Embassy in Vilnius.

Putin, who has led Russia for 24 years, is expected to win his fifth term when the polls close on Sunday evening, making him the longest-ruling Russian leader since Catherine the Great.

Image: A sign reading “Putin killed Navalny” outside the Russian Embassy in Vilnius.

Demonstrators hold placards as they gather outside the Russian embassy, in London, on March 17, 2024 to protest against Russia's presidential election.

Running against Putin are Vladislav Davankov of the New People party, Leonid Slutsky of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR), and Nikolai Kharitonov of the Communist Party.

Despite their differences, all these candidates are widely perceived as backed by the Kremlin.

Image: Russians in Tallinn enter the Russian Embassy to vote.

Voting in the 2024 election took place over three days, with early voting taking place for two weeks in remote regions of Russia and occupied Ukraine.

Image: Voters waiting outside the Russian Embassy in Tallinn.

Experts have warned that this extended period of voting makes it easier for fraud to take place, as it makes it harder for independent observers to spot irregularities.

Image: Voters gathering outside the Russian Embassy in Tel Aviv.

A memorial to Alexei Navalny in Brussels.

Russians waiting to vote in Brussels.

Experts suggest that a significant voter turnout and a large percentage of votes in favor of Putin would be seen as endorsing the war and showcasing national unity in a country where most opposition figures have been either exiled or imprisoned.

Image: A queue of voters in Belgrade.

Two anti-war presidential hopefuls, Boris Nadezhdin and Yekaterina Duntsova, were banned from running — and there is minimal independent oversight of the voting process.

To protest, some Russians intentionally spoiled their ballots or voted against any candidate other than Putin.

Image: Russians waiting to vote in Belgrade.

Moscow authorities threatened criminal charges against those who take part in election-day rallies, pointing to Article 141 of the Criminal Code, the obstruction of elections or citizens' electoral rights, which is punishable by up to five years in prison.

Image: People queue outside the Russian embassy in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Image: A sign reading “enough of Putin’s lies, war, repression” in Tbilisi, Georgia

Protesters hold signs outside the Russian Embassy in Tbilisi.

Voters waiting outside the Russian Embassy in Yerevan.

Voters in The Hague, Netherlands, wave the blue-and-white flat which has become a symbol of the Russian opposition.

Protestors in The Hague, Netherlands.