Thousands of Russians in street protests

THOUSANDS of Russians yesterday rallied against Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's government in a string of protests fuelled by sharp falls in living standards since the economic crisis hit.

A coalition of opposition groups declared a national "Day of Anger" with some 50 protests tapping into rising discontent at unemployment, higher bills and transport taxes. Protests across the country mixed local issues with anger at the ruling party.

While Kremlin critics have been heartened by a series of protests in recent months, they have been unable to consolidate their forces.

"The mood has changed, but it has not yet turned into a movement," said Masha Lipman, an analyst with the Carnegie Moscow Centre think-tank, of the rise in protests.

Russia's economy, after a decade of breakneck growth, shrank 8 per cent last year. Unemployment is over 9 per cent.