Vladimir Putin the Russian opposition and by international observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe for procedural irregularities. Anti-Putin protests took place during and directly after the presidential campaign. The most notorious protest was the Pussy Riot performance on 21 February, and subsequent trial. An estimated 8,000–20,000 protesters gathered in Moscow on 6 May, when eighty people were injured in confrontations with police, and 450 were arrested, with another 120 arrests taking place the following day. A counter-protest of Putin supporters occurred which culminated in a gathering of an estimated 130,000 supporters at the Luzhniki Stadium, Russia's largest stadium.
Third inauguration of Vladimir Putin Kremlin. At noon, when the bells of the Kremlin clock rung, Vladimir Putin entered St George's Hall and walked to the podium located in the St. Andrew Hall. The first speech was made by the outgoing President Dmitry Medvedev: After the speech Dmitry Medvedev and Chairman of the Constitutional Court Valery Zorkin invited Vladimir Putin to take the oath: Vladimir Putin read the text of the oath: After that, the Russian national anthem sounded, followed by a thirty-one salvo Artillery salute. Vladimir Putin delivered his speech as President of Russia: After the speech, Vladimir Putin headed for the exit, passing