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Russia election protests: Troops sent to Moscow Russia election protests: Troops sent to Moscow
(40 minutes later)
Thousands of police and interior ministry troops are being deployed in Moscow, after protesters accused the authorities of electoral fraud. Thousands of police and interior ministry troops are being deployed in Moscow, after protesters accused the authorities of rigging the election.
Lorries filled with troops were reported driving into central Moscow. Troop lorries were seen heading for the centre as the interior ministry said it aimed "to ensure the security of the citizens".
Interior ministry spokesman Col Vasily Panchenkov said they wanted "to ensure the security of the citizens". Several thousand people attended Monday's protest, one of the biggest in the centre of the capital in years.
At least 300 protesters were arrested overnight in Moscow, after parliamentary elections said to have been marred by flagrant violations. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has played down his party's poll reverses.
Several thousand people had taken to the streets in one of the biggest opposition gatherings in the centre of the capital in years. At least 300 protesters were arrested at Monday's protests in Moscow including Alexei Navalny, a leading campaigner against corruption and fierce critic of Mr Putin.
Alexei Navalny, a leading campaigner against corruption and fierce critic of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, was among those detained.
A counter-demonstration by Putin supporters was held beside Red Square on Tuesday.A counter-demonstration by Putin supporters was held beside Red Square on Tuesday.
Observers from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) reported that Sunday's election had been slanted in favour of Mr Putin's party, United Russia.Observers from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) reported that Sunday's election had been slanted in favour of Mr Putin's party, United Russia.
'Inevitable losses'
United Russia won the election with just under 50% of the vote, a sharp drop in its support.United Russia won the election with just under 50% of the vote, a sharp drop in its support.
Correspondents say the result reflects Mr Putin's declining popularity ahead of his bid for the Russian presidency in March.Correspondents say the result reflects Mr Putin's declining popularity ahead of his bid for the Russian presidency in March.
Are you in Russia? Are you in Moscow? What do you think of the Interior Ministry's act? Send us your comments and experiences. But speaking to United Russia officials in Moscow on Tuesday, the prime minister and former two-term president suggested that electoral losses were inevitable for any party in power.
"Yes, there were losses and they are inevitable," he said, quoted by Russian news agencies.
"They are inevitable for any political force, especially for one which, not for the first year, bears the brunt of responsibility for the situation in the country."
Mr Putin also rejected the accusation by Mr Navalny and others that his party was especially corrupt.
"This is a label applied not to a specific political party but to authorities [in general]," he said, promising to tackle the issue.
Are you in Russia? Are you in Moscow? What do you think of the Interior ministry's act? Send us your comments and experiences.