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.
Pets of Vladimir Putin Pets of Vladimir Putin Vladimir Putin, current president of Russia, owns three dogs, who live at his residence in Moscow. He is actively involved in the conservation of many endangered Russian dog breeds. Verni was a birthday gift from Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, President of Turkmenistan, during a meeting in Sochi. The puppy is an Alabai, a top Turkmen-bred variety of the Central Asia shepherd dog. 'Verni', means 'Faithful' or 'Loyal' in Russian. Yume, a 3-month old Akita puppy, arrived in Moscow from Tokyo, Japan in July 2012, as the Akita Prefecture’s gift to show gratitude for assistance from Russia after the